In a significant development, the Karnataka High Court has called upon the State government to submit detailed statistics on missing persons complaints registered over the past five years. The Bench, presided by Justice Suraj Govindaraj, sought figures from 2020 to 2025, including the number of complaints received, action taken, and individuals successfully traced.
During the proceedings, the Court expressed concern over the apparent lack of progress in such cases, remarking that matters involving disappearance frequently end with no clarity or outcome. Highlighting the seriousness of the issue, particularly where women and children go missing, the Court noted that complacency in investigations cannot be overlooked.
The direction came in response to a petition filed by Mahesh, who approached the Court seeking effective investigation into the disappearance of one Kumar. The petitioner requested a status report on the investigative steps taken and the current whereabouts of the missing individual.
The government counsel informed the Court that although the complaint had been filed after nearly a year, the police had taken steps to trace the individual. However, noting the need for transparency and accountability, the Court instructed the State to compile and produce gender- and age-wise data on missing persons complaints over the five-year period, along with information on traced persons and cases where action was taken.
As per the order, the Additional Government Advocate has been granted one week to file objections and place the requested data on record. The matter will be taken up again in the upcoming hearing.
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