Delhi HC takes Delhi and Orissa police to task for showing casualness in investigating a case of trafficking of a minor tribal girl

SLIC had filed a case in Delhi High Court in year 2010 when mother of a tribal minor girl who was trafficked from Orissa to Delhi and had subsequently disappeared in Delhi approached SLIC for help. Hearing the case on 04.02.2013, Hon'ble Delhi High Court took serious notice of casualness being shown by the Police and reprimanded Delhi Police for taking investigation is such matters lightly. Hon'ble Court observed that the latest status report filed by Police did not show that any sincere efforts were being made by the Investigation Officer to trace the girl since 19.12.2011. Advocate Anant Kumar Asthana who argued the case informed Hon'ble Court that a report submitted by National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) in year 2011 in this case had highlighted serious lapses on the part of Delhi Police and Orissa police in dealing with this case. He also informed that though Hon'ble High Court had asked Delhi Police on 25.11.2011 to respond to the NCPCR's report but no response was ever filed. Hon'ble High Court has directed concerned Joint Commissioner of Police to file a detailed status report indicating the efforts made to trace the girl and has warned that report should show sincere and effective efforts. Court has also asked Joint Commissioner to constitute a team, if need be, to trace the missing girl. Taking notice of inefficiencies and lapses highlighted by NCPCR and suggestions made in its report regarding Delhi Police and Orissa Police, Court has also asked Delhi Police and Orissa Police to respond to the report of NCPCR. On next date High Court will examine their responses.