Jharkhand High Court Challenges Police in NRI Brother Case
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Ranchi, April 2 (NationPress) The Jharkhand High Court has taken a serious stance regarding the claims made by a young woman against her brother, who lives overseas, and has demanded answers from the police for their lack of action, instructing them to proceed without delay.
During the hearing of a habeas corpus petition, a Division Bench headed by Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad summoned the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Jamshedpur to appear virtually and questioned why a First Information Report (FIR) had not been filed despite the petitioner submitting a formal complaint.
The woman accuses her brother, currently living in Australia, of falsely branding her as “mentally ill” through his influence, coercively admitting her to a mental health facility in Ranchi to seize their ancestral property.
Criticizing the police's inaction, the bench demanded an explanation from the SSP on why no steps had been taken in light of such serious allegations. The SSP responded by assuring the court that the complaint would be thoroughly investigated and appropriate actions would follow.
The petitioner informed the court of her challenging financial situation, living with her ill parents in a rented home in the Kadma locality of Jamshedpur. She emphasized her educational background and ongoing preparation for national-level competitive exams.
Moreover, she alleged that her brother managed to transfer their grandfather’s property into his name via a gift deed and subsequently sold it. To obstruct her from claiming her rights, he reportedly schemed her forced admission to psychiatric facilities, including the Davis Institute of Psychiatry in Kanke and the Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences (RINPAS).
Recognizing the seriousness of these allegations, the High Court ordered that the Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs be included as a respondent to aid in locating the brother overseas.
Furthermore, the bench instructed the Jamshedpur SSP to guarantee the safety and security of the woman and her parents, warning that any unfortunate events would lead to personal accountability.
Lastly, the court directed the lawyer representing the petitioner’s mother to consider the potential for an amicable resolution and to submit an affidavit detailing any agreed-upon terms prior to the next hearing.
Advocates Khushboo Kumari and Shailesh Kumar represented the petitioner.