Court Orders Establishment of Dedicated Units and Digital Tracking Systems to Address Systemic Issues
In a landmark judgment, the Karnataka High Court has issued directives to the State Government to reform the handling of missing persons cases, emphasizing the need for systemic changes and the implementation of dedicated units. The court's decision comes in response to a writ petition filed by Sri. Mahesh concerning the disappearance of his cousin, Mr. Kumar. The court noted the inadequacies in the existing response mechanisms and highlighted the rising number of missing persons cases, particularly involving women and children.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Suraj Govindaraj, calls for the establishment of District Missing Persons Units (DMPU) and Missing Persons Squads across the state. These units are to act as nodal agencies for prompt registration, investigation, and monitoring of missing persons cases, ensuring inter-district and inter-state coordination. The court emphasized the importance of these units in preventing investigative lapses and maintaining focused attention on missing persons complaints.
Additionally, the court reviewed the operationalization of Standing Order No. 1054, which outlines structured mechanisms for handling such cases, including the use of digital portals and inter-state coordination. The order also necessitates the revival of dormant cases, reclassifying them as active to ensure continuous investigative efforts.
The court acknowledged the State's commitment to implementing these systemic changes and instructed the authorities to provide a comprehensive compliance report on the operationalization of Standing Order No. 1054. This report is to include details on the establishment of DMPUs, the composition of review committees, the number of active and dormant cases, and the functionality of digital tracking systems.
Justice Govindaraj underscored the need for integrated digital systems and national frameworks to facilitate efficient management of missing persons investigations, especially in cases involving trafficking and organized crime. The court's directives aim to strengthen institutional mechanisms and ensure that missing persons cases are treated with the urgency and seriousness they deserve.
The case will be revisited on April 10, 2026, to assess the State's compliance with the court's directives and the effectiveness of the newly implemented mechanisms.
Bottom Line:
Missing Persons - Karnataka High Court addresses systemic concerns in handling missing persons cases, including establishment of structured mechanisms such as District Missing Persons Units (DMPU), Missing Persons Squads, Anti-Human Trafficking Units, and monitoring of digital portals for tracking missing persons effectively.
Statutory provision(s):
Constitution of District Missing Persons Units (DMPU), Implementation of Standing Order No. 1054, Revival of Dormant Cases, Systemic Coordination and Digital Platforms.
Sri. Mahesh v. State of Karnataka, (Karnataka) : Law Finder Doc id # 2866847
