Kerala HC Directs Appearance Of IO In Case Over Missing Child Whose Deceased Body Was Discovered Along With Alleged Detenue's Body

As per facts, 15-year-old girl child from Kasargod district had been missing since February 11. On the same day, Pradeep who is a 42 year old taxi driver who was known to be close to the child's family was also found to be missing.

The child's mother had approached the High Court with a habeas corpus petition stating that Pradeeep had forcefully taken her daughter and that she was detained under his illegal custody.

Today, the Court was informed that both the child and the alleged detenue were found dead with ligature marks around their necks on a tree yesterday.

The Counsel appearing for the deceased child's mother submitted that the complaint of her missing daughter had been filed before the police as early as on February 11. It was argued that if the police had acted effectively and swiftly, her daughter's death could have been prevented.

The Division Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M.B. Snehalatha observed that closing the habeas corpus petition would not be justified. The Court thus directed the investigating officer to appear before the Court tomorrow, along with the case diary.

“We, therefore, direct the Investigating Officer of the Original Crime, namely Crime.No.126/2025 - which is stated to have been registered under Section 57 of the Kerala Police Act - be present before this Court tomorrow, along with the Case Diary. The Case Diary opened with respect to Crime.No.207/2025 shall also be in his possession, when he appears before us.”

As such, the matter be will be considered tomorrow.

Plea has been moved by Advocates P E Sajal, Muhammed Hisham T and Ajas K.S.

Case Title: Prabhavathi v State of Kerala

Case No: WP (Crl) 290/2025