Jharkhand High Court Summons Top Officials in Missing Girl Skeletal Remains Case
The Jharkhand High Court has taken a stern stance in the case involving the recovery of skeletal remains linked to a missing girl from Bokaro. On Wednesday, the court issued summons to key officials, including the Director General of Police (DGP), the Bokaro Superintendent of Police (SP), the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) director, and the Special Investigating Team (SIT), ordering them to appear before the bench on April 16.
Petitioner Claims Skeletal Remains Not of Missing Daughter
A division bench comprising Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and Sanjay Prasad heard arguments from counsel representing the petitioner, Rekha Devi. She asserted that the skeletal remains discovered by Bokaro police do not belong to her 18-year-old daughter, Pushpa Mahto, who has been missing since July 2025. This claim has added a layer of complexity to the investigation, raising questions about the identity of the remains and the ongoing search for Pushpa.
Court Questions Delay in DNA Testing and Expresses Concern
During the proceedings, the court directed pointed inquiries at the state government regarding the conduct of a DNA test. The judges expressed significant concern over the fact that, despite the skeleton being recovered several days prior, no samples had been collected for DNA analysis. They observed that if samples had been gathered earlier, results could have been obtained within a few hours, but the process was being unnecessarily delayed, potentially hindering the investigation.
Arrest Made and Police Suspensions Announced
In related developments, the court was informed that one Dinesh Mahto has been arrested in connection with the case. The skeletal remains were reportedly recovered from a jungle area in Bokaro, adding to the mystery surrounding the incident. Meanwhile, in a move highlighting alleged negligence, the Bokaro SP has suspended 28 police personnel from the Pindrajora police station. This action underscores the scrutiny on law enforcement's handling of the matter.
Background of the Missing Girl Case and Legal Intervention
Rekha Devi's daughter, Pushpa Mahto, went missing on July 31, 2025. An FIR was registered at the Pindrajora police station, but with no significant progress in tracing her whereabouts, Rekha Devi approached the High Court for intervention. Following the court's directives, the police intensified their investigation, leading to the recovery of the skeletal remains and subsequent legal actions. The case continues to unfold as authorities work to resolve the discrepancies and ensure justice.
