Kerala High Court Orders CBI Investigation In Jesna Maria Missing Case

The Kerala High Court on Friday ordered CBI investigation into the disappearance of Jesna Maria James, a second year B.Com student, from her home in Pathanamthitta district, nearly three years ago.

A Single judge bench of Justice V.G. Arun ordered "I hope and wish that, with its forensic expertise and investigation skill, the CBI will be able to unravel the mystery and bring solace to Jesna's family."

On 23rd March 2018, Jesna Maria James, a young girl of 20 years went missing from her house. According to her brother, Jesna was at home when he and his father left for work at about 7.00 a.m. But, when he returned by about 5.00 p.m in the evening, Jesna was not at home and did not reach back even by late night.

Thereafter, a missing complaint was filed by Jesna's father under sec. 57 of the Kerala Police Act, 2018. Later, an investigation team was thereafter constituted in the matter.

However, when the local police failed to make any headway in the matter, writ petition was filed seeking a direction to hand over the investigation to the CBI.

While the petition was pending, the investigation was transferred to CBCID. An interim direction was then issued on 2nd November 2020 requiring the Crime Branch to inform the High Court about the outcome of the investigation and whether any further investigation was warranted in the matter.

In compliance of the direction, a statement was issued by the Crime Branch which reflected that despite efforts for tracing Jesna, no success was achieved.

Accordingly on 12nd February 2021, the High Court requested ASG to go through the said statement and inform the Court whether investigation can be handed over to the CBI.

ASG thereafter informed the Court that the investigation so far conducted "indicates of there being serious and intriguing behind the missing of Jesna and also of interstate involvement."

Therefore, the Court issued the following directions:

1. Respondents 1 and 2 are directed to hand over the case diary and all materials gathered during the investigation of Crime No.201 of 2018 of Vechoochira Police Station to the Superintendent of Police, SPE/CBI, Thiruvanathapuram Unit, forthwith.

2. The State Government shall provide adequate infrastructure and logistic support to the CBI for conducting the investigation.

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