The Allahabad High Court has transferred to the CBI the investigation into the disappearance of a woman missing since September 2024, after the Uttar Pradesh Police failed to trace her for more than two years, and has directed that she be produced before the Court on December 1, 2026.
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Prayagraj: The Allahabad High Court has entrusted to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Ghaziabad, the investigation into the disappearance of a woman in a habeas corpus petition, noting the failure of the Uttar Pradesh Police to trace her despite the passage of more than two years since a missing person report was lodged [Corpus and Another v. State of U.P. and 3 Others].
A Bench of Justice Sandeep Jain directed the CBI to make all necessary efforts to trace the woman and produce her before the Court on December 1, 2026. The woman is not named in this report.
Background
The Court noted that the woman had been missing since September 8, 2024, and that a missing person report was registered at Police Station Puranderpur, District Maharajganj, on September 9, 2024. The habeas corpus petition was filed by her husband, who alleged that a private respondent had her in illegal custody. That allegation is untested; the State denied it, and the Court recorded that the petitioners and that respondent were in enmity.
The Court later directed the State to file a detailed affidavit disclosing the woman’s whereabouts. In its affidavit, the State said a team of dedicated police officials had been deputed to trace her, described her as a woman of unsound mind who did not have a mobile phone, and said these circumstances made tracing her difficult. On September 29, the State informed the Court that, “despite the best efforts made by the police personnel”, she remained untraced.
Why the probe was transferred
The Bench ordered:
“In view of the aforesaid facts and circumstances, particularly the failure of the State police authorities to trace the corpus despite the passage of more than two years since the lodging of the missing person report, this Court deems it appropriate to entrust the investigation of the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation, Ghaziabad.”
Directions to the CBI and the State
The Court directed the State authorities and their functionaries to extend all necessary cooperation and assistance to the CBI, and to make available all records, evidence and other material collected in the investigation so far. It further directed that if the woman is not traced and produced on the next date, the CBI Investigating Officer must file a personal affidavit disclosing the steps taken and efforts made, along with the reasons, if any, for the failure to trace and produce her.
Why The Allahabad High Court Order Matters
The order shows the High Court using its habeas corpus jurisdiction to hand an unresolved missing person case to a central agency, and fixing accountability on the CBI Investigating Officer through a personal affidavit if the woman is not produced. The Court has made no finding on the allegation of illegal custody, and the CBI’s investigation is yet to begin.
Case Details: Corpus and Another v. State of U.P. and 3 Others | Habeas Corpus Writ Petition No. 426 of 2026 | Before: Justice Sandeep Jain | Order dated: September 29, 2026 | Next hearing: December 1, 2026
Appearance: Advocates Harishchandra Yadav and Mudit Agnihotri appeared for the petitioners; the Government Advocate appeared for the State.