• Source:JND
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The Delhi High Court directed the police to begin its investigation in the missing complaint against the children without waiting for a day. While dealing with a matter related to a missing minor girl, the court stated that the first 24 hours are critical for the successful tracing of the missing person or child. 

The court highlighted that any delay within the initial 24-hour period could hinder the chances of finding a missing child, dismissing the idea that police can wait for the child to return home on their own.

"There is no scope for any speculation or conjecture that the child may return home in 24 hours, and hence the police can wait. In fact, the first 24-hour period is the crucial period, when steps for tracing the missing person or child could lead to a positive outcome," the division bench of Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma said on Tuesday.

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Justices Prathiba M Singh and Amit Sharma directed all police stations to start inquiries or investigations immediately without waiting for 24 hours upon receiving a complaint of a missing child. Additionally, the Commissioner of Police has been instructed to ensure all police stations adhere to this directive and to eliminate the unnecessary waiting period.

"Accordingly, let the Commissioner of Police look at the matter and give directions to all police stations to ensure that the waiting period of 24 hours is wholly unnecessary and in fact, whenever a complaint is received, the inquiry, and investigation should immediately commence," the High Court ordered on July 9.

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The direction came in response to a Habeas Corpus plea by the father of a minor girl who disappeared on February 19, 2024. The petitioner claimed he approached Nangloi Police Station immediately after his daughter went missing, but police instructed him to wait 24 hours before filing a report, assuming she might return. A 'missing person report' was eventually filed on February 20, 2024, instead of an FIR for kidnapping.

Meanwhile, the case involving a minor girl missing was transferred to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (Crime Branch), Delhi Police, for an immediate and thorough investigation under a senior officer's supervision. A Status Report is to be filed within one week and the next hearing is scheduled for July 16.

(With ANI Inputs)