Court directs UIDAI involvement and assures safety measures for petitioner facing threats and allegations
In a significant move, the Jharkhand High Court has stepped in to ensure justice for Chandramuni Urain, a petitioner seeking the whereabouts of her daughter who went missing as a minor and is now reported to be a major. The case, which involves allegations of trafficking and local police compromise, has seen the petitioner facing life threats and accusations of witchcraft.
The court, presided over by Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and Arun Kumar Rai, directed the inclusion of the Director of UIDAI as a respondent to assist in tracing the missing girl using her Aadhar Card details. This intervention aims to uncover any leads through financial records linked to the Aadhar Card, potentially shedding light on the girl’s current whereabouts.
The petitioner, represented by advocate Mr. Shashank Shekhar, highlighted the local police's alleged failure to file a complaint, reportedly compromising the case. In response, the court ensured the involvement of JHALSA to monitor the situation directly at the petitioner’s residence, providing an update on why the complaint was not lodged.
Sub-Divisional Police Officer Suresh Prasad Yadav, leading the Special Investigation Team (SIT), informed the court of the ongoing efforts to trace the victim, underscoring the importance of obtaining Aadhar details from UIDAI. Mr. Prashant Pallav, the learned Additional Solicitor General of India (ASGI), suggested the UIDAI Director be formally included as a respondent, a proposal swiftly adopted by the court.
Further, the court sought assurance from Superintendent of Police, Gumla, Mr. Haris Bin Zaman, for the petitioner’s safety. He appeared via virtual mode, assuring the court of necessary measures to protect Chandramuni Urain from any harm. The court also instructed the state authorities to continue efforts to locate the missing girl and bring updates on the progress to the court.
The case will be revisited on February 12, 2026, to receive further updates on the investigation and measures taken for the petitioner’s protection. This proactive stance by the Jharkhand High Court underscores its commitment to ensuring substantive justice in cases involving vulnerable individuals and trafficking allegations.
Bottom Line:
Protection of life and investigation into trafficking of minor girl child - Court intervenes to ensure justice for the petitioner, a mother of a missing girl child, who is under threat of life and facing allegations of being a witch. Court directs involvement of authorities including UIDAI to trace the missing girl and protect the petitioner.
Statutory provision(s): Section 33(1) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2016
