The Delhi High Court in the case Lamboder Jha v. Govt NCT Of Delhi And Ors observed and has set aside to consider issuing various directions and guidelines which needs to be followed by the Delhi Police in cases of the missing children.
The bench headed by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma was hearing the plea moved by the father who was being aggrieved by the lapses in the process followed by the Delhi Police in tracing his minor daughter. Thus, his daughter aged about 16 years, had gone missing on July 10, 2023 and the complaint was lodged by the father the next day at Kalindi Kunj police station.
Therefore, the FIR was also registered under section 363, Kidnapping of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
The Father informed the court that despite number of visits to the police station by him between July 12 to July 16, he could not find any information about his daughter, therefore, the father was aggrieved that the police had not taken steps in accordance with a 2016 Standard Operating Procedure, SOP which is being issued by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development for cases of missing children.
The court observed that the minor child was produced before the court on July 28. 2023 by the police. The said court was also informed that in her statement recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 she did not levelled any allegations against any person and had said that she left her house out of her own free will due to some misunderstanding between her and her parents.
The bench of Justice Sharma in the case observed and has also interacted with the minor and noted that she had expressed her apprehension that her parents will discontinue her studies and may treat her badly. It has been informed by the minor to the court that she wanted to continue her studies and was keen on attending her school regularly.
Further, the court in the case observed and has stated that the minor daughter was being counselled and she has expressed her willingness to accompany her father.
The bench of Justice Sharma in the case observed and has directed the principal of the concerned school to accept the leave application to be moved by the father of the minor and also to accept as leave the period when she had not attended school.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on August 01, 2023 in order to consider the aspect of issuance of guidelines to Delhi Police for tracing
missing children.