Orders To Police Authorities To Keep Vigil, Curb Kidnapping Incidents: In Calcutta High Court
The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday personally interacted with a young victim girl who was purportedly the victim of kidnapping, and upon her request, ordered that the girl be returned to her parents.
In the case of Ashok Jana v. The State of West Bengal & ors. (Writ Petition Appeal No. 8761 of 2022), a single judge bench of the Honorable Justice Shampa Sarkar ruled that the ongoing investigation into the alleged kidnapping should be finished quickly. The Superintendent of Police, Purba Medinipur, and his team received praise from the court for their efforts in taking swift action.
Facts of the Case:
The Superintendent of Police, Purba Medinipur, had previously been ordered by a court to submit a report outlining the reasons why the young girl who was allegedly abducted hasn’t yet been found.
The young victim girl was brought before the court after the court was notified on Wednesday that she had been located.
The girl had expressed a strong desire to return to her parents after speaking with her in person, Justice Sarkar noted in the order. The victim’s parents were present in court, and the judge spoke with them as well.
Court’s Findings:
“The young victim has been located. She has appeared in court after being produced. The girl has had private interactions with the court. The girl has made it clear that she is eager to return to her parents. The parents, who were in court, have also been spoken to by the court “The order stated.
In addition, the court mandated that the victim girl be immediately given to her parents in the presence of the relevant attorneys for each party, and in accordance with that directive, observed, “The court orders that the girl be given to her parents right now in front of the knowledgeable attorneys who are representing each party. The parents must sign any relevant documents.”
The need for a speedy conclusion to the ongoing investigation into the alleged kidnapping was also emphasized. The Superintendent of Police, Purba Medinipur, and his team received praise from the court for their efforts in taking swift action.
As a result, the plea was rejected with the warning that the relevant police authorities must remain vigilant to prevent a recurrence of the incident.
The Court ruled that “the police authorities shall keep a vigil so that the same incident is not repeated.”
Judgement Reviewed By Manju Molakalapalli.