On August 5, 2025, the Orissa High Court strongly criticised police officials who were allegedly involved in demanding "gratification" to proceed with the rescue of a kidnapped minor girl, despite having already located her. The case was being heard by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Murahari Sri Raman, in connection with a criminal writ petition filed by the girl’s father seeking a writ of habeas corpus after she was kidnapped on June 18, 2025.
During the earlier hearing on July 22, the State had informed the Court that a special team had been formed to trace the victim, with the petitioner accompanying the team to aid the search. At that time, the Court had expressed satisfaction with the steps taken and directed the police to make all possible efforts to recover the girl.
However, during the August 5 proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel alleged that police officials had demanded a bribe to carry out the rescue and threatened to delay the investigation if not paid. Shocked by the seriousness of the allegations, the Court ordered the personal appearance of the Superintendent of Police (Bhadrak), the Inspector-in-Charge of Dhamnagar Police Station, and the Investigating Officer of the case to verify the claims.
“If such allegation is true, it raises doubt on the impartiality of such officers, putting a blot on the entire police administration,” the Court remarked.
The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on August 11, 2025.
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