Jharkhand High Court Orders DNA Testing in Missing Teen Case Amid Slow Investigation
Synopsis
The Jharkhand High Court has intervened in the case of a missing Bokaro teen, ordering a DNA test of recovered skeletal remains and expressing dissatisfaction with the investigation's slow pace. Key officials, including the DGP, were present during the hearing, highlighting the case's urgency.
Key Takeaways
Jharkhand High Court orders DNA test for skeletal remains.
Investigation pace draws court's criticism.
Key police officials present during the hearing.
Post-mortem to be conducted at RIMS Ranchi .
Accountability concerns for senior police officials raised.
Ranchi, April 16 (NationPress) The Jharkhand High Court has expressed serious concerns regarding the sluggish progress of the investigation into the case of a missing 18-year-old student from Bokaro district. The court has mandated a DNA examination of the skeletal remains that the police have reportedly discovered.
A division bench comprising Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Sanjay Prasad issued the directive during a hearing on Thursday, ordering that the DNA test be performed at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Kolkata. To ensure a transparent process, the court also specified that the post-mortem on the skeletal remains should take place at RIMS in Ranchi rather than Jamshedpur.
In attendance were the Jharkhand DGP, Bokaro SP, Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, and members of the newly established Special Investigation Team (SIT), who appeared before the court.
The court expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the investigation and instructed the Solicitor General to guarantee that samples from the recovered skeleton and the victim’s parents are collected and sent to Kolkata for analysis within 48 hours. Additionally, the state government has been ordered to present a progress report on the investigation within two weeks.
During the proceedings, the DGP assured the court of the urgency in resolving the case. The government revealed that 18 police officers from the relevant police station have already been suspended due to negligence.
However, the court emphasized that merely penalizing lower-level personnel is insufficient; accountability must also extend to senior officials.
The case involves the alleged kidnapping of student Pushpa Kumari Mahto, which was reported in August 2025 and initially saw significant police inaction. It was only after the victim's mother, Rekha Devi, filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court that law enforcement began to take action. The accused, Dinesh Kumar Mahto, was later arrested, and police recovered a skeleton based on his information.
The petitioner’s counsel, Vincent Rohit Marky, voiced concerns that the recovered skeleton may not belong to Pushpa Kumari Mahto, highlighting the importance of the forthcoming DNA report to confirm the identity of the remains.
Point of View
It underscores the need for systemic change in handling such sensitive matters.
NationPress
7 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the Jharkhand High Court to intervene in the case?
The court was dissatisfied with the slow investigation into the disappearance of an 18-year-old girl and ordered a DNA test on skeletal remains.
Where will the DNA tests be conducted?
The DNA tests will be conducted at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Kolkata.
What has been the response of the Jharkhand DGP regarding the investigation?
The Jharkhand DGP assured the court that the investigation would be concluded as quickly as possible.
How many police personnel have been suspended in relation to this case?
Eighteen police personnel have been suspended for dereliction of duty in connection with the case.
What concerns were raised about the identity of the skeleton?
The counsel for the petitioner expressed doubts that the recovered skeleton may not belong to the missing student, emphasizing the importance of the DNA report.
