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Dharwad High Court Orders Police Not to Refuse Missing Persons Complaints Citing Jurisdiction

By Gireesh Vasishta
Dharwad High Court Orders Police Not to Refuse Missing Persons Complaints Citing Jurisdiction

A division bench, comprising Justices S.G. Pandit and C.M. Poonacha, issued this order while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Ramakrishna Bhat from Hubballi, who alleged that his daughter went missing in 2023 and that the police failed to act on his complaint. The court also released guidelines for police to follow in handling missing persons cases.

Dharwad: The Dharwad Bench of the Karnataka High Court has ruled that police cannot refuse to register complaints about missing persons on the grounds that the incident does not fall within their station’s jurisdiction.

A division bench, comprising Justices S.G. Pandit and C.M. Poonacha, issued this order while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Ramakrishna Bhat from Hubballi, who alleged that his daughter went missing in 2023 and that the police failed to act on his complaint. The court also released guidelines for police to follow in handling missing persons cases.


Guidelines Issued:

  • Complaints about missing persons must be recorded promptly and diligently.

  • Authorities must determine whether the case involves a missing woman, minor, or other individual and inform the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit or relevant cell accordingly.

  • Under no circumstances should police officers reject such complaints; every complaint must be addressed immediately.

  • If a deceased body is later found, investigating officers must collect forensic evidence, such as DNA samples, from the missing person’s family for potential matching.Also Read:Central Government Takes Bold Steps for Disaster Management: Tasked with Swift Response System


  • Recent photographs of the missing person must be collected, and copies shared with the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), CID, and the National Crime Records Bureau.TIMEX Classics Analog Watch for Men with Round Dial & Water Resistant Man's Wrist Watches

  • Details of the missing person’s complaint must be digitally transmitted to beat police personnel and mobile units like Hoysala within 24 hours of registration.

  • Information about the missing person (with necessary consent) should be published in recognized newspapers, periodicals, and audio-visual news platforms.

  • Details of missing persons must be uploaded to various central and state government portals, as well as other relevant platforms.

The court’s order aims to ensure swift and effective action in missing persons cases, preventing delays or refusals by police.