'Blot On Police Administration': Orissa High Court Orders SP's Appearance After Cops Allegedly Demand Money To Rescue Kidnapped Minor Girl

The Orissa High Court on Tuesday (August 05) came down heavily on police officials who allegedly asked for some sort of 'gratification' to rescue an already traced kidnapped minor girl.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Murahari Sri Raman was hearing a criminal writ petition seeking issuance of the writ of habeas corpus filed by a man for tracing out his minor daughter, who was kidnapped on June 18, 2025.

On a previous date of hearing (July 22), the State had apprised the Court about the formation of a special team to raid different locations on the basis of reliable information. It had also submitted that the petitioner was also accompanying the team in order to expedite the rescue process. Expressing satisfaction over the efforts, the Court had asked the police to leave no stone unturned to locate the minor victim.

When the matter was called on Tuesday, the counsel for the petitioner informed the Court that though the police officials had found out the victim yet they approached the petitioner for some gratification, failing which they would slow down the pace of investigation, ultimately delaying the rescue.

The Court was taken aback by such an allegation against the police department. To verify the veracity of such claims, the personal appearance of Superintendent of Police (SP), Bhadrak, Inspector-in-Charge (IIC), Dhamnagar police station and the Investigating Officer (IO), Dhamnagar police station was ordered.

“If such allegation is true, it raises the doubt on the impartiality of such officers putting a blot on the entire police administration,” it observed.

The matter is now listed on August 11, 2025 for further hearing.

Case Title: Sridhar Swain v. State of Odisha & Ors.

Case No: WPCRL No. 98 of 2025

Date of Order: August 05, 2025

Counsel for the Petitioner: Ms. S. Rath, Advocate

Counsel for the State: Ms. Suman Pattanayak, Addl. Government Advocate

Click Here To Read/Download Order