Kasargod Teen's Death: Kerala HC Asks If Murder Angle Was Probed, Proposes To Issue Guidelines For Investigating Missing Minor Girls Cases

While dealing with the mother's habeas corpus plea alleging police inaction in the matter, a Division Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M. B. Snehalatha orally observed:

“This is not a case where the police officers have not investigated…Unfortunately this has happened. We need to know whether murder angle is investigated…what if both are murders? You can't presume that either both of them committed suicide or that he committed suicide. It could be that both of them were killed.”

As per facts, 15-year-old girl child from Kasargod district had been missing since February 11. On the same day, Pradeep who is a 42 year old taxi driver who was known to be close to the child's family was also found to be missing. After over a month, the bodies of both the child and the alleged abductor were found by the police with ligature marks around their necks.

On Perusing the report filed by the investigating officer, the Court granted one week time to the Petitioner's Counsel to respond to it. Court ordered thus:

“The report by investigating officer as ordered by us is available on record. The petitioner counsel seeks a week's time to respond. And, the learned government pleader submitted that post mortem report and chemical analysis reports have not been obtained and that he will be able to respond to the Court by the next posting date.”

The Court also orally stated that it intends to issue a set of guidelines, based on existing circulars, outlining the procedure for conducting investigation in missing person cases, particularly those involving minors, with a specific focus on missing minor girls.

The matter will be further considered on next Thursday (27 March, 2025).

Plea has been moved by Advocates P E Sajal, Muhammed Hisham T and Ajas K.S.

Case Title: Prabhavathi v State of Kerala

Case No: WP (Crl) 290/2025