'Every Life Is Invaluable': Kerala High Court Asks SIT To Consider Suggestions Given By Son Of Missing Kuwaiti Man To Trace Him
'His Pathos Can Never Be Described': Kerala High Court Asks SIT To Consider Son's Suggestions To Trace Missing Kuwaiti Father
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (November 5) asked the special investigation team (SIT) investigating the case of Suraj Lama–stated to be missing since October 5 after he arrived in Kochi from Kuwait–to consider the suggestions given by his son Santon Lama.
A Division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice M.B. Snehalatha allowed an interim application in the habeas corpus plea filed by Santon Lama for accepting the photograph of his father as an additional document.
The affidavit filed along with the application also contained certain suggestions made to the investigating team to trace out his missing father.
Considering the same, the Bench observed:
“some suggestions have been made by the petitioner toward the investigation. We are sure that the investigating officers must take the petitioner on their side and consider their suggestions taking into account that he is the son, and his pathos can never be described.”
The Court had earlier directed the State Police Chief to form a Special Investigation Team to locate the petitioner's father. However, the missing person could not be found.
According to the petitioner, he took the initiative of coordinating with the Executive Director of the Centre for Migration and Inclusive Development, Perumbavur to seek help from migrant labourers and agents to trace out his father. He even gave flyers in the vernacular language of the labourers to help with the search.
In the affidavit filed, the petitioner has prayed for a direction to the police to circulate flyers containing the details and photograph of the missing person, and contact details of the police through newspapers and other public communication.
He has also asked that the police may be directed to contact with religious and charitable institutions since these might provide food and shelter to destitute persons.
As a third suggestion, it is asked that the police may “conduct barricade checks and patrols in pocket roads, by lanes and other less frequented areas wherever feasible.”
On hearing the petitioner's counsel, the Bench orally remarked, “How do we get this person? Our heart is also heavy…Please have a talk with them. Please understand what his mind is going through. He is standing on fire… Find him out, please. Every life is invaluable. Every life is extraordinarily precious.”
The case is posted next on Friday.
Case No: WP (Crl) No. 1421/2025
Case Title: Santon Lama v. State of Kerala and Ors.
Counsel for the petitioner: Parvathi Menon.