Calcutta High Court Orders Police Authorities To Keep Vigil, Curb Kidnapping Incidents

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday personally interacted with a minor victim girl who had allegedly been kidnapped and thereafter ordered for the girl to be handed over to her parents pursuant to her request. 

Justice Shampa Sarkar had earlier directed the Superintendent of Police, Purba Medinipur to file a report before the Court indicating the reasons as to why the minor girl who was allegedly kidnapped, has not yet been recovered. 

On Wednesday, the Court was informed that the minor victim girl had been traced and accordingly she was produced before the Court. 

After interacting with her in person, Justice Sarkar recorded in the order that the girl had expressed her firm desire to go back to her parents. The Judge also interacted with the parents of the victim girl who were present in Court. 

"The victim girl has been traced. She has been produced before the court. The court has interacted with the girl, privately. The girl has expressed her firm desire to go back to her parents. The court has also spoken to the parents, who were in court", the order read. 

The Court further ordered for the victim girl to be immediately handed over to the parents in the presence of the concerned counsels for the respective parties and accordingly observed, 

"The court directs that the girl be handed over to the parents in the presence of the learned advocates for the respective parties, here and now. Documents to that effect be signed by the parents."

It was also underscored that the ongoing investigation into the alleged kidnapping should be concluded expeditiously. The Court also appreciated the effort of the Superintendent of Police, Purba Medinipur and his team for the prompt action taken. 

Accordingly, the plea was disposed of by expressing caution that the concerned police authorities must keep a vigil so that the same incident is not repeated.

"The police authorities shall keep a vigil so that the same incident is not repeated", the Court ordered. 

Case Title: Ashok Jana v. The State of West Bengal & ors.

Case Citation: 2022 LiveLaw (Cal) 259

Click Here To Read/Download Order