Bombay HC Scolds Mumbai Police Over Missing Youth Case

The Bombay High Court has expressed strong displeasure over the Mumbai Police's handling of a missing youth case, where the 18-year-old has been untraceable for over 18 months. The case was filed by the youth's father, Pyaremiyan Qureshi, after his son went missing on January 11, 2025.

A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad heard the petition and questioned the police's lack of progress in the investigation. The court was particularly concerned that the missing boy's photographs had not been circulated through the media, which could have potentially aided in his discovery.

The petitioner's advocate, M.A. Khan, urged the court to transfer the probe to another agency or a senior officer, citing the family's loss of hope after waiting for over one-and-a-half years. The advocate emphasized that the family was unable to investigate the matter themselves and relied on the police to take action.

The Additional Public Prosecutor, Mankunwar Deshmukh, requested time to circulate information outside Maharashtra and assured the court that senior officers would look into the matter. The prosecutor also informed the court that a team of police officers would be formed to investigate the case.

The high court directed the petitioner to provide fresh photographs of his son and details of the family's domicile in Uttar Pradesh. This information would enable the police to publish the photographs in print and electronic media, including newspapers in the family's home state, in an effort to gather more information about the missing youth.

The court's decision to form a dedicated probe team highlights the importance of focused attention in missing person cases. The bench observed that missing person cases require specialized investigation and cannot be handled by a general SHO or investigating officer who is already handling multiple cases.

The Bombay High Court's intervention in this case underscores the need for effective investigation and coordination between law enforcement agencies. The court will hear the matter again next week, and it is expected that the Mumbai Police will provide an update on the progress of the investigation.

The case has sparked concerns about the efficiency of the Mumbai Police in handling missing person cases. The fact that the youth's photographs were not circulated through the media raises questions about the police's approach to investigation and the need for more proactive measures to be taken in such cases.

In recent years, there have been several instances of missing persons in Mumbai, and the police have faced criticism for their handling of these cases. The Bombay High Court's decision to intervene in this case is a step towards ensuring that the Mumbai Police take missing person cases more seriously and adopt a more proactive approach to investigation.

The outcome of this case will be closely watched, and it is hoped that the dedicated probe team will be able to make progress in tracing the missing youth. The court's decision is a reminder that the police have a responsibility to investigate missing person cases thoroughly and to keep the families of missing persons informed about the progress of the investigation.

In conclusion, the Bombay High Court's scolding of the Mumbai Police over the missing youth case highlights the need for more effective investigation and coordination between law enforcement agencies. The formation of a dedicated probe team is a step in the right direction, and it is hoped that the police will take missing person cases more seriously in the future.