Jharkhand HC raps govt over missing girl missing since 2018, questions clean chit to former SPs
Synopsis
A six-year-old girl missing from Gumla since 2018 — and eight years later, the Jharkhand High Court is still waiting for answers. The court has now questioned why former police superintendents received a clean chit despite documented lapses, as the state admitted its periodic reports were filed years late. A CBI transfer remains on the table.
Key Takeaways
The Jharkhand High Court expressed strong displeasure on 30 October 2026 over failure to trace a girl missing from Gumla since 2018 .
Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad questioned the clean chit given to former Superintendents of Police posted in Gumla between 2018 and 2022 .
The state admitted periodic investigation reports were submitted to Gumla DLSA only on 23 October 2026 , and tendered an unconditional apology.
Main accused Bhukhli Lakra was arrested on 6 June 2026 ; a Suspect Detection Test in Gandhinagar reportedly returned suspicious findings.
The Home Department has been directed to file a fresh affidavit; the current Gumla SP must explain delays and lapses.
The court earlier warned that the probe could be transferred to the CBI if the child remains untraced.
The Jharkhand High Court on Friday, 30 October 2026, expressed strong displeasure over the prolonged failure of the state police to trace a girl who has been missing from Gumla district since 2018, questioning the clean chit handed to former Superintendents of Police and investigating officers who handled the case.
What the Court Said
A Bench led by Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad demanded to know on what basis former Superintendents of Police and investigating officers posted in Gumla between 2018 and 2022 were absolved of responsibility despite apparent lapses in the probe. The court noted that periodic investigation reports — mandatory to be submitted within a stipulated timeframe to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) — were not filed on time, directing the Home Department to submit a fresh affidavit.
State Government's Admission
During the hearing, the state government admitted in its affidavit that the periodic report concerning the missing child was submitted to the Gumla DLSA only on 23 October 2026, acknowledging what it called a considerable delay. The government tendered an unconditional apology to the court for the lapse.
Counsel representing the petitioner alleged that the government was attempting to shield former officials and had withheld material facts from the court — a charge the state did not directly rebut in proceedings.
Key Accused and Investigation Concerns
The court also reviewed the status of the investigation against the main accused, Bhukhli Lakra, who was arrested on 6 June 2026. A Suspect Detection Test conducted in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, reportedly indicated suspicious findings against her. However, the Bench expressed concern over the fact that police sought custody several days after the arrest, flagging yet another delay in the investigative process.
The High Court has sought a formal explanation from the current Superintendent of Police of Gumla regarding the delay and alleged negligence, and has asked what action has been taken against officials responsible for the lapses.
Background: Eight Years and No Trace
The case stems from a habeas corpus petition filed by Chandramuni Uraon, whose six-year-old daughter disappeared from Gumla in 2018. The child has now been missing for over eight years. The court had previously voiced dissatisfaction with the pace of the probe and warned that it could hand the investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) if the child remained untraced. This comes amid broader concerns in Jharkhand about the protection of vulnerable minors in tribal-majority districts.
What Happens Next
The Home Department is required to file a fresh affidavit, and the Gumla SP must formally account for investigative lapses. The CBI transfer threat remains live if the court remains unsatisfied. With the main accused in custody and a suspect detection test already conducted, the next hearing is expected to determine whether the state can salvage credibility — or whether central agencies take over.
Point of View
The next affidavit from the Home Department may well decide whether Jharkhand's police command structure faces real consequences or once again escapes with an apology.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jharkhand High Court missing girl case about?
The case involves a six-year-old girl who went missing from Gumla district in 2018. Her father, Chandramuni Uraon, filed a habeas corpus petition, and the Jharkhand High Court has been monitoring the investigation, expressing repeated dissatisfaction with police progress.
Why did the Jharkhand High Court question the clean chit to former SPs?
The court questioned the basis on which former Superintendents of Police and investigating officers posted in Gumla between 2018 and 2022 were absolved, despite apparent lapses including failure to submit mandatory periodic investigation reports to the DLSA on time.
Who is the main accused in the Gumla missing girl case?
The main accused is Bhukhli Lakra, who was arrested on 6 June 2026. A Suspect Detection Test conducted in Gandhinagar, Gujarat reportedly indicated suspicious findings against her. The court noted concern over delays in seeking police custody after her arrest.
What action has the Jharkhand High Court ordered?
The court has directed the Home Department to file a fresh affidavit and has sought a formal explanation from the current Superintendent of Police of Gumla regarding delays and alleged negligence. It has also asked what action has been taken against officials responsible for the lapses.
Could the case be transferred to the CBI?
Yes. The Jharkhand High Court had earlier warned that it could hand the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation if the child remains untraced. That threat remains active pending the state government's fresh affidavit and explanation.
