Agartala: In a significant development aimed at addressing concerns over the tracing of missing persons in Tripura, the Tripura high court has issued comprehensive guidelines to streamline and expedite investigations.
Justice T Amarnath Goud, presiding over the matter, directed the Tripura home secretary, to enforce a standing operating procedure (SoP) immediately.
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The Tripura high court’s directive came in response to a batch of petitions highlighting alleged police inaction in tracing missing individuals across the state.
“The police department must play a pivotal role in tracing missing persons without delay, especially when lives are at stake,” Justice Goud stated during the proceedings.
Guidelines issued by the Tripura high court:
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Publicising information: Authorities are mandated to publish photographs of missing persons in newspapers, television, social media and other prominent outlets within one week of receiving a complaint.
For minors or major girls, consent from parents or guardians is required before publishing photographs.
Thorough investigation: Investigators are instructed to promptly investigate all clues from personal belongings and papers of the missing person.
Previous instances of going missing must also be scrutinized, along with the analysis of electronic devices with family consent.
Hospital Inquiries: Authorities must inquire about unidentified persons in hospitals and mortuaries within seven days of receiving a complaint.
Police Protocol: The investigating officer must be of at least the rank of inspector of police and wireless messages regarding missing persons should be promptly sent to district SPs.
Regular progress reports must be submitted to the Tripura director general of police (DGP) and communicated to the family every 15 days.
DNA profiling: DNA profiling of unidentified bodies should be compared with that of missing persons to aid in identification.
Anti-human trafficking measures: Cases unresolved for four months are to be transferred to the integrated anti-human trafficking unit (IAHTU) for further investigation.
After six months of diligent effort, a “certificate of missing” may be issued.
The Tripura high court’s intervention followed a case where a petitioner’s daughter, suffering from a severe brain disorder, went missing earlier this year.
Despite lodging complaints and subsequent appeals to authorities, the petitioner alleged inadequate police response, prompting the legal action.
Assurances and disposition
During the proceedings, the state counsel assured the court of the Tripura police department’s commitment to extend full cooperation in tracing missing persons.
Senior advocate P Roy Barman and other counsels represented the petitioners, while advocate general SS Dey and counterparts represented the state.