Orissa High Court Mandates Special Task Force for 2023 Puri Child Kidnapping Investigation
The Orissa High Court has issued a stern directive to the police over the lack of progress in tracing a two-and-a-half-year-old girl allegedly kidnapped in Puri in December 2023. In a significant move, the court has ordered the Puri superintendent of police (SP) to constitute a special task force (STF) and personally oversee the investigation to expedite the rescue efforts.
Court Expresses Dissatisfaction with Prolonged Inaction
On February 23, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M S Raman voiced strong dissatisfaction with the prolonged pendency of the habeas corpus petition filed by the child's parents. The bench highlighted the grave nature of the situation, stating, "It is a sordid state of affair that since 2023, the instant writ petition in the nature of habeas corpus is pending before this Court and despite several directions having passed from time to time, the minor girl, who is allegedly kidnapped, is not able to be rescued."
The court emphasized that the welfare of the child is paramount, adding, "We are concerned with the welfare of the child and no complacency can be shown in this regard." This directive comes after earlier orders required the investigating team to either rescue the girl or ascertain her whereabouts, yet no tangible outcomes have been reported.
Specific Directives and Timeline Set by the Court
In response to the limited headway in the probe, the court has mandated that the SP, Puri, take personal initiative by forming an STF within one week of the order's communication. The SP is also directed to review the steps taken by the STF, issue necessary directions as warranted, and file a progress report before the next hearing scheduled for March 16, 2026.
The bench noted that during a previous hearing, police had informed the court that a girl was rescued by the Airfield Police Station in Bhubaneswar, but she was later identified as someone else and not the petitioner's daughter, underscoring the challenges in the investigation.
Details of the Kidnapping Incident
According to case records, the child was allegedly kidnapped in December 2023 while her mother was selling tender coconuts outside a hotel in Puri. Around 6:20 PM, a man and a woman arrived in a car. While the man engaged the mother in a conversation about buying coconuts, the woman allegedly picked up the child from near the vehicle and fled, leaving the family in distress.
A status report filed in February 2024 revealed that three vehicles were shortlisted based on CCTV footage, including one with a Jharkhand registration number. Police are continuing their investigation into another suspected vehicle, and the child's photograph has been widely circulated in an effort to trace her, but efforts have so far been unsuccessful.
The Orissa High Court's intervention highlights the urgency of the matter and the need for a more coordinated and effective approach to resolve this heartbreaking case, ensuring justice and safety for the vulnerable child.
