In a bizarre twist in a missing person case, a man from Satna has alleged that he was compelled to spend approximately Rs 65,000 to fund a police-organized search trip to Goa to trace his 30-year-old wife, who has been missing since March 11.
Police Action Taken
Acting on the complaint, Satna police have removed two constables from active duty and sent them to police lines pending an inquiry. The woman, a mother of three including a 3-year-old child, was reported missing at the Civil Lines police station on March 12. Her husband claimed that despite registering the complaint, there was little initial progress.
Allegations of Pressure
Days later, the husband was allegedly told by a policeman that her location had been traced to Goa, prompting a trip in the name of search operations. According to the complainant, he bore the entire cost of the trip, spending about Rs 65,000, but neither his wife was found nor did any concrete lead emerge. He further alleged that despite the failed attempt, he was again being pressured to arrange funds for another trip to Goa.
Complaint to CM Helpline
The man has also lodged a complaint on the Chief Minister's helpline, stating that he has been running from pillar to post while struggling to care for his children in his wife’s absence. SP Satna Hansraj Singh told TOI, "Following the allegations, a probe has been constituted and a deputy SP has been asked to investigate and submit a report. Meanwhile, both the constables have been removed from active duty till the probe concludes."
Police Version of Events
Sources from the police, however, provided a different account. They said that the woman’s location was found in Goa, and the location of a minor girl who was also missing was found nearby. Teams were going to search for the minor girl when this woman’s location was also found; hence, the complainant was asked to accompany them. He brought a few relatives as well. However, the police team managed to find the missing minor girl and the youth who had taken her there the very next day, and as they could not keep them, the team returned. The complainant stayed there for a few days with his relatives and then returned, police sources said.
