Taking serious cognisance of human trafficking involving children, the High Court of Uttarakhand has sought a reply from the State Government on the issue. The court also pulled up the Champawat police for its stance on registering an FIR and investigation in the case of a boy who went missing from Purnagiri.
The court has directed the police to present the investigation conducted so far in addition to which it has asked the State Government as to what has been done in pursuance of the Supreme Court orders for formation of juvenile police force in order to stop human trafficking of children.
The case was taken up for hearing before the HC single Bench of Justice lokpal Singh. During the hearing, Rudrapur resident Dharmveer said that he had gone with his family to Purnagiri on May 25 where his 17-year-old boy went missing. On May 26, Dharmveer went to the Tanakpur police station to lodge a missing child report but the police did not lodge the report. He said that again on June 8 and on June 13, applications were submitted to the police despite which the report was not lodged. After this, the family members distributed pamphlets and used other means to search for the missing boy but till date no trace has been found of the teenager. The petitioner has also demanded that the case be investigated by the crime branch, criminal investigation department (CBCID).
The court has directed the police to State its position in this case and present a report on the action taken by it in the case so far. The Government has also been asked to submit its reply in the court regarding measures taken for formation of a juvenile police court.