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Kochi, Nov 21 (IANS) The Kerala High Court on Friday proposed the creation of a statewide mechanism to disseminate information about missing persons to every citizen, to improve search effectiveness and quickly locate persons, especially during the crucial “golden period”.
This suggestion was given by a division bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice MB Snehlata while hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by Santan Lama seeking to trace his father Suraj Lama. Suraj, who reached Kochi from Kuwait on October 5, has been missing since then.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed under court orders is currently leading the investigation.
The court had earlier roped in the anti-human trafficking unit and the social justice department to assist in the investigation.
During Friday’s hearing, the bench expressed concern that the missing person may be nearby but unable to identify himself.
The judges said, “We have a sneaking suspicion that the alleged detainee may still be available very close by, but has not been detected because he is unable to express himself.”
The Court highlighted the increasing number of cases where people disappear without a trace and stressed the importance of a centralized, real-time information-sharing network.
“We are of the view that information about him should be disseminated to every citizen of Kerala. We are not sure whether the police or any other authority has such a mechanism in place. If not, we certainly recommend such a mechanism,” the bench said.
It said such a system would enable citizens to immediately provide clues to the police, allowing them to take action without wasting valuable time.
The government counsel informed the court that he would consult the police department and other agencies on the practicality of implementing such a system.
He also confirmed that investigators are actively looking for clues, including sightings of the missing person eating at shops and interacting with locals.
The lawyer representing the petitioner told the court that the family is continuing its search and is enduring immense emotional stress.
The bench acknowledged the crisis and assured, “The court will not rest until we are able to trace her father.”
The matter will be heard again on December 1 for further consideration.
–IANS
SG/DPB