Set up cell at div level to find missing persons: HC to Raj

Taking serious note of the inadequate measures done regarding search of missing persons in the state, Rajasthan High Court today gave direction to the state government to set up a special cell at divisional level for the purpose.
Making a note of the lack of Polygraph Testing Laboratory in the state, the court directed the government to set up a laboratory in the state to do away with the dependency on the outside laboratories and the delay in reports caused by that.
Hearing over half a dozen habeas corpus petitions, the division bench comprising Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Atul Kumar Jain emphasised the need for exceptional measures to conduct search of missing persons and gave a slew of directions in order to expedite operations in an effective manner, which, it said, would have to be complied within six months.

After considering the current cell at police headquarters, the court called for the formation of a separate fully-dedicated cell equipped with staff and technology at divisional level under an officer, of not less than the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who would work in coordination with the concerned police to expedite the search of missing persons.
The court directed adequate budgetary provisions for this cell with facility to the officers to travel by any means (air/surface/train).
Referring to the circulation of information of missing persons, the court directed that pictures and other relevant details of the missing persons be advertised in the media (print/visual) within 15 days of filing of the report.

A separate budgetary provision has been directed by the court under this head.
Besides this, the court also taking a suo-moto step, has decided to continue hearing of the petitions as Public Interest Litigations and has listed the matter for further hearing on May 29.