Jharkhand High Court Mandates Forensic DNA Analysis in Missing Girl Investigation
The Jharkhand High Court has issued a critical directive in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of a young girl, ordering forensic DNA testing on a human skeleton recovered by police in Bokaro. This development marks a significant step in the year-long case that has gripped the region.
Court Orders Expedited Forensic Examination
A division bench comprising Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Sanjay Prasad has instructed authorities to ensure the skeleton sample is sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Kolkata for comprehensive analysis. The court mandated that the laboratory furnish a report within two weeks, determining whether the DNA from the skeleton matches samples taken from Rekha Devi, the mother of the missing girl, and her husband.
In addition to the DNA testing, the court ordered that a post-mortem examination of the skeleton be conducted at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi. Police officials confirmed that DNA samples have already been collected from the parents of missing Pushpa Mahto, which will be compared with the skeletal remains once they reach the Kolkata facility.
Police Accountability and Suspensions
The hearing revealed substantial developments regarding police accountability in the case. Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan informed the court that the Bokaro Superintendent of Police has suspended 28 personnel from the Pindrajora police station in connection with the investigation. However, the bench expressed dissatisfaction with these measures during oral observations.
"The suspension of officers from Pindrajora police station was not enough," the bench remarked pointedly. "Senior officers like DSP, SP, and DIG ranked officers, who were also in charge of the case, should have been suspended as well." This statement underscores the court's concern about accountability at higher levels of the police hierarchy.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Proceedings
The Special Investigating Team handling the case was present in court and produced documents related to their investigation. The Director General of Police, Bokaro SP, and other senior officers had appeared before the bench as directed by the High Court.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for approximately a fortnight from now, contingent upon receipt of the forensic report from Kolkata. The DGP, Bokaro SP, and SIT members have been directed to appear before the court on that date to present the findings and progress in the investigation.
Pushpa Mahto has been missing since July 31 of last year, making this case nearly a year old. The court's intervention and the forensic testing order represent a renewed effort to resolve the mystery surrounding her disappearance and determine whether the recovered skeletal remains are connected to her case.
This judicial oversight comes amid growing public concern about missing persons cases and police investigation protocols in the region. The court's active monitoring of both the forensic process and police accountability measures suggests a comprehensive approach to ensuring a thorough investigation.
