Court demands accountability and swift measures from state officials after a man's disappearance was ignored for over a year.
In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has reprimanded state authorities for their negligent handling of a missing person case, highlighting systemic flaws in addressing such complaints. The case involves Vikrama Prasad, whose 32-year-old son disappeared from Lucknow in July 2024. Despite filing a missing person report on July 17, 2024, Prasad received no response or action from the authorities, prompting him to seek judicial intervention.
The court, presided over by Justices Abdul Moin and Babita Rani, expressed its disapproval of the authorities' lackadaisical attitude, stating that it required court intervention for the case to gain momentum. An FIR was only lodged on December 2, 2025, more than a year after the initial report, following the court's directive to submit a personal affidavit from the Commissioner of Police, Lucknow.
During the hearing, the court was informed that measures to trace the missing individual have now commenced. These include publicizing the missing person's photographs and broadcasting notices on various media platforms such as newspapers, Doordarshan, and radio. The court also noted the general apathy in handling missing person complaints, often relegated to mere uploads on the official website without further action unless prompted by judicial orders.
In a bid to address these shortcomings, the court has mandated the filing of a personal affidavit by the Principal Secretary (Home). The affidavit must detail the steps taken since the lodging of the FIR and provide a comprehensive overview of all missing person complaints logged on the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) website since January 1, 2024. It must also elucidate the process employed by authorities in managing these complaints post-uploading and whether complainants are informed of their status.
The court has given a three-week deadline for the submission of this affidavit, failing which the Principal Secretary (Home) is required to appear in person with relevant records to assist the court. The case is scheduled for further hearing on January 29, 2026.
This judgment underscores the necessity for proactive measures and accountability in handling missing person cases, advocating for a system where such matters receive prompt attention without the need for judicial intervention.
Bottom Line:
The authorities exhibited a lackadaisical attitude in addressing missing person complaints, requiring court intervention to prompt action.
Statutory provision(s): Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 Section 137(2)
Vikrama Prasad v. State of U.P., (Allahabad)(Lucknow)(DB) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2825993
