Court Directs Safety Measures for Minor, Orders Custody Transfer to Father Amidst FIR in Punjab
In a significant judgment passed by the Uttarakhand High Court on April 17, 2026, Justice Rakesh Thapliyal addressed the sensitive issue of the alleged kidnapping of a minor girl. The case, titled "Chandini v. State of Uttarakhand," involved the petitioner Chandini, a minor, and an alleged kidnapper identified as petitioner no. 2. The court undertook a detailed review following the registration of an FIR against petitioner no. 2 under sections 96 and 137 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in Patiala, Punjab.
During the proceedings, S.I. Praveen Kumar from Thana Mallital presented before the court along with the petitioners. The allegations were made by the father of petitioner no. 1, Mithilesh, who claimed that his daughter had been kidnapped by petitioner no. 2. Upon verifying the details, it was confirmed that Chandini, born on October 2, 2008, was indeed a minor and currently studying in Class 10.
Given the circumstances, Justice Thapliyal directed immediate action for the protection and safety of the minor. The court ordered that Chandini be admitted to Nari Niketan, Haldwani, for her safety until her father could arrive to take custody. The Superintendent of Nari Niketan was instructed to ensure her safety and facilitate interaction with her father upon his arrival.
Furthermore, the court directed S.I. Praveen Kumar to coordinate with the Punjab Police to take petitioner no. 2 into custody. The court also took undertakings from relatives of petitioner no. 2 to ensure future compliance with legal proceedings.
The court's decision underscores the importance of safeguarding minors and ensuring legal compliance in alleged kidnapping cases. With the FIR registered and safety measures in place, the court disposed of the writ petition, ensuring both the safety of the minor and adherence to legal protocols.
Bottom Line:
Protection and custody of minor girl and her alleged kidnapper - Directions issued for ensuring safety of minor girl and handing over her custody to her father, while taking necessary undertakings for future actions.
Statutory provision(s): Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 Sections 96, 137
Chandini v. State of Uttarakhand, (Uttarakhand) : Law Finder Doc id # 2885254
