Developing an e-facility for online reporting of missing persons, Delhi Police tells Delhi High Court

Pursuant to an order passed by the Delhi High Court in a case pertaining to a missing person, the Delhi Police has submitted that it shall soon roll out an e-facility for reporting instances of missing persons through the internet..The Delhi Police statement was recorded by a Division Bench of Justices Manmohan and Sangita Dhingra Sehgal in a case pertaining to the disappearance of a girl since April 2019..A statement to this effect was made by the Delhi Police in a status report submitted to the Court..“.. it is submitted that to reduce human interface and to streamline the process of reporting regarding missing persons including children, an e-facility shall be developed, through which the citizens shall be able to report such missing on the citizen portal of Delhi Police through internet. The service shall be provided at the portal of Delhi Police through internet. This shall ensure prompt and timely police response and take the service delivery closer to the citizens of Delhi.”.The Court was further informed about a proposed Road Map for online reporting of missing persons through Delhi Police Web Portal and Mobile Application. It was further informed that M/s Tech Mahindra has submitted an initial proposal for the development of the Project in Delhi at a total cost of Rs 8 to 10 lakh. While the web system would begin functioning in 90 days, the Mobile Application might take another one month..As per the road map, the online reporting of missing persons could be done through a separate icon on Delhi Police Website & Mobile Phone App after filling the requisite details. After submission of the relevant information, the computer application system would generate a PDF report and forward it to the stakeholders such as the local police station or control room, for the initiation of police response mechanism..An FIR shall be lodged immediately for children & juveniles up to 18 years and in case of adults, an FIR shall be lodged if there are specific allegations or suspicion or any foul play..The Road Map also states that the Complainant would receive alerts on his/her mobile about the progress of the case from time to time..The Assitant Commissioner of Police and the Station House Officer would be able to monitor the progress of the pending complaints and cases through their respective Dashboards in the application..Appreciating “the alacrity with which the Delhi Police reacted to the suggestions made by it“, the Court hoped that the plan is brought to reality within the proposed time frame..The Court also opined that the investigation procedure followed by Anti Human Trafficking Units and Crime Branch should be replicated at the police station level as well as at the district level..For this purpose, not only the latest technology and training but also the general guidelines in the form of Standard Operating Procedure should be issued and followed at the ground level, it said..Issuing Standard Operating Procedure/guidelines would ensure that certain essential steps like flashing of message on wireless and placing the information of the missing person on the ZIPNET are taken in a time bound manner, the Court added..The Court has thus directed Delhi Police to file a fresh status report with regard to the developments within eight weeks..Delhi Government Standing Counsel Rahul Mehra with Additional Standing Counsel Sanjay Lao appeared for Delhi Police..Read the order: