Police reduce probe period for missing children,child rights panel objects

Calling the move “irregular”,the DCPCR has asked police to respond to its notice by May 20.

In an April 9 standing order issued by the Special Commissioner of Police (Crime),DCPs have been directed to file the report within a period of one year,whether or not the missing child is found. The order,however,states that the case can be opened any time in case fresh information is received.

“It has been noticed that the number of kidnapping cases of missing children pending investigation is increasing steadily because there is doubt in the mind of the IOs (investigating officers) and the supervisory officers about the time period after which such cases can be closed,” the order states.

“In this connection,reference may be made to para 11 of circular No. 25/2012 issued by Commissioner of Police,Delhi on 25.04.2012 wherein it is mentioned if a criminal case is registered into the missing of a child,it will be kept open till the investigation into all known aspects of that case is completed and the case will be treated as a Special Report Case.”

“It’s clarified that if the Additional Commissioners of Police/DCPs of the district or unit is satisfied,after the expiry of a period of one year,that investigation into all aspects related to the case has been completed,then he may authorise preparation of the final report in the said case,” the order states.

DCPCR chairperson Arun Mathur said: “This matter came to our notice a few days ago. This order is irregular. The police cannot come out with a blanket office order to reduce the time taken to investigate the case of a missing child. In such cases,there is always an apprehension that the child may have been trafficked. This is reason enough to ensure regular investigation of the case. We have sent the Delhi Police Commissioner a notice.”

The notice states: “This commission finds it to be a fit case to intervene so that the investigation in case of missing children is not dropped prematurely in a routine matter. This will adversely affect the interest of children who have already gone missing and are facing threatening conditions.”

When his comments were sought,Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said: “This does not mean that a case will be closed. We will be taking each case to its logical conclusion. All mandatory steps will be taken to ensure proper investigation is done in each case.”

The police order states that “in all cases of closure,it must be categorically mentioned in the final report that the case would be reopened at any time in the future on receipt of any fresh input or information about the kidnapped child. The information about the missing child on ZIPNET shall not be deleted until the child is actually recovered even though the final report may have been submitted in the case.”

But Mathur said there should be no such clause. “It is mandatory that the matter be investigated. This order is only a way to ensure that the workload of the police is reduced and they can show reduced statistics at the end of the year. This is a serious matter. Police cannot interpret the law in a way that suits them,” he said.