The Delhi High Court has directed the Delhi Police to present before it a woman who allegedly ran away with a labourer to marry him. The court was unsparing in its criticism of the Naraina Station House Officer for what it said was dereliction of duty.

The divisional bench of Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rajnish Bhatnagar said, “We are shocked that even in this background, he did not think it proper to register an FIR and proceeded on the bald statement produced before him, wherein it is claimed that Preeti Gupta has married Syed Mustafa.”

The habeas corpus plea has been filed by the father of the woman, a B.Tech, for the production of his daughter as one Syed Mustafa had taken her from his residence. The police status report submitted said, “Preeti Gupta has married one Syed Mustafa, S/o Munna Bhai… she has also informed her family members that she does not wish to be disturbed and that she is happy and safe, wherever she is.”

The bench noted that no FIR has been registered till date, whereas, the SHO informed the Court that FIR was not registered since the Nikahnama has been produced to show that Preeti Gupta had married Syed Mustafa. However, the same could not be verified despite efforts.

The bench has directed the state,

“to make all-out efforts to produce the (woman) since we cannot accept the statements attributed to her, at this stage, as her voluntary statements. To satisfy our conscience, we would like that she be produced before us.”

Also Read: Patna HC takes suo motu cognizance of assault on judge in Nalanda district

The bench has transferred the investigation to the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Crime Branch and has directed them to file a status report after registration of FIR.