Jharkhand’s judicial spotlight fell harshly on child safety lapses as the High Court addressed the heartbreaking saga of a six-year-old Gumla girl missing since 2018. In a habeas corpus hearing led by Justices Sujit Narayan Prasad and AK Rai, the bench summoned the Home Secretary for January 27 after the Gumla SP’s update painted a grim picture of stalled investigations.
Despite a new SIT’s forays into Delhi and extensive photo campaigns, no leads emerged after eight years. The court pivoted to systemic flaws, lambasting the free rein given to nomadic groups from Rajasthan who set up tents sans identity verification or oversight.
Oral remarks referenced the Gulguliya gang’s role in recent kidnaps, underscoring how lax policing enables trafficking syndicates. ‘Concrete guidelines are imperative for these shadowy movements,’ the judges asserted, pressing for swift state intervention.
Mother Chandramuni Urain’s long battle—from ignored police pleas to courtroom recourse—exposes deep-rooted issues. Deputy AG Sachin Kumar faced tough queries, as the court reiterated: governments must forge ironclad policies to eradicate child trafficking threats.