Reported by Mrinal Banik
Agartala: The Tripura High Court has directed police to investigate whether a minor girl from Unakoti district was kidnapped or had voluntarily eloped with an accused person, while also asking authorities to determine her age at the time of the alleged incident.
A division bench of Justice T. Amarnath Goud and Justice S. Datta Purkayastha passed the order while disposing of a habeas corpus petition filed by the girl’s mother, seeking recovery of her daughter and a court-monitored probe into the case.
According to the petition, the woman alleged that her daughter was kidnapped on December 29, 2023, by one Bishal Chakraborty, who allegedly took her to different places and raped her.
Based on her complaint, Kailasahar Police registered a case under Sections 417, 363, 376(2)(n) and 506 of the IPC, along with provisions of the POCSO Act.
The petitioner further alleged that although the girl was recovered on January 6, 2024, the accused later threatened the family and allegedly forced the girl to marry him.
She also claimed that the girl was again taken away on January 26, 2024, following which another case was registered under Sections 366, 506 and 342 of the IPC.
The petitioner alleged that despite registration of the two cases, police failed to recover her daughter and did not take effective action against the accused.
During earlier hearings, the High Court had directed the Superintendent of Police of Unakoti district to personally monitor the investigation and submit an affidavit on the steps taken in the matter.
The court had also observed that the investigating officer had “failed miserably” in performing his duties and noted from the police affidavit that the family was not cooperating in publicising the missing girl’s photographs.
In a detailed report submitted before the court, the Superintendent of Police stated that during investigation of the first case, the girl’s statement under Section 164(5) of the CrPC was recorded before a magistrate.
According to the report, the girl stated that she was in a relationship with the accused and had voluntarily left home as her parents were allegedly trying to arrange her marriage against her wishes.
The report further said that after she was handed over to her legal guardians following recovery, she again eloped, leading to registration of the second case.
Police also informed the court that the family had initially refused to provide photographs of the girl for publication to aid the search operation.
However, photographs were later provided on April 13, 2026, following which police arranged wider circulation through the Information and Cultural Affairs Department.
In a rejoinder affidavit, the petitioner said photographs of the girl’s alleged marriage with the accused, available on Facebook and Instagram, had also been shared with the investigating authorities.
Disposing of the petition, the bench directed police to investigate whether the girl was kidnapped or had voluntarily eloped, determine her age at the relevant time, and take appropriate action in accordance with law.
The court also directed the petitioner to cooperate with the investigation whenever required.