Prayagraj: Allahabad High Court has transferred the investigation into the disappearance of a 42-year-old woman to CBI after observing that Uttar Pradesh Police had failed to trace her for more than two years despite sustained efforts.Justice Sandeep Jain passed the order while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Sudama Devi’s husband.The court noted that Sudama Devi had been missing since Sept 8, 2024. A missing person’s report was registered at Puranderpur police station in Maharajganj district on Sept 9, 2024. However, despite the passage of more than two years, she remained untraced.The petition alleged that Sudama Devi was being illegally confined by Jameela Khatoon, the fourth respondent. It stated that a complaint in this regard had also been lodged with the police.When the matter initially came up for hearing, the court noted that the petitioners and the fourth respondent were on inimical terms and that the allegation of illegal confinement appeared to stem from that dispute. The bench subsequently directed the state to file an affidavit disclosing the woman’s whereabouts.In its affidavit, the state said a team of police officials had been assigned to trace the missing woman. It described Sudama Devi as a person of unsound mind who did not possess a mobile phone, factors that made it difficult to locate her.On Sept 29, the state informed the court that despite intensive efforts, the woman had not been traced.Taking note of it, the high court, in its Sept 29 order, directed CBI to make all necessary efforts to trace Sudama Devi and produce her before the court on Dec 1, 2026.The court also directed state authorities and their functionaries to extend all necessary cooperation and assistance to CBI in the investigation. The matter has been listed for further hearing on Dec 1.
