The Allahabad High Court has asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to trace a 42-year-old woman who has remained missing since September 2024 despite efforts by the Uttar Pradesh Police.
Justice Sandeep Jain issued the direction while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by the woman’s husband. The court ordered the CBI to make all necessary efforts to locate Sudama Devi and produce her before it on December 1, 2026.
The court also directed state authorities and their officials to provide the CBI with all assistance required for the investigation.
Woman Missing Since September 2024
According to the proceedings, Sudama Devi has been missing since September 8, 2024. A missing person report was lodged the following day at Puranderpur police station in Maharajganj district.
During the initial hearing, an allegation was raised that she was being illegally detained. The High Court then directed the state government to file a detailed affidavit explaining her whereabouts.
The state subsequently informed the court that a dedicated police team had been assigned to trace her.
According to the state, Sudama Devi is a 42-year-old woman of unsound mind and did not possess a mobile phone. These circumstances, it said, had complicated efforts to locate her.
Police Unable to Trace Woman Despite Efforts
On September 29, the state told the High Court that the woman remained untraced despite the efforts made by the police.
Taking note of the fact that she had remained missing for more than two years, the court decided to entrust the task of tracing her to the CBI.
The matter will next be heard on December 1, 2026, when the CBI has been directed to produce Sudama Devi before the court.
