Supreme Court: FIR Mandatory for Missing Adults, Clarifies Earlier Order

• The Supreme Court has clarified its earlier order requiring immediate registration of FIRs for missing persons, making it clear that the direction applies to adults as well.
• The Court's clarification comes in response to some States' interpretation of the expression 'person' in its earlier order to refer only to children.
• Lawyers advising clients on missing persons cases should ensure that their clients' families file an FIR promptly to initiate investigations.

The language of our earlier order is clear and unambiguous. The expression 'person' means every person, irrespective of age or gender.

In a significant development, the Supreme Court has clarified that its earlier order requiring immediate registration of first information reports (FIRs) on receiving information about a missing person applies to adults as well. The clarification comes in response to some States' interpretation of the expression 'person' in the Court's earlier order to refer only to children. However, the Court has made it clear that the language of its earlier order is unambiguous and that 'person' means every individual, regardless of age or gender.

The Supreme Court's clarification is a significant development in the context of missing persons cases. The Court had directed States to register an FIR upon receiving information regarding any missing person in its May 22 order. However, some States had failed to comply with this direction, leading to a contempt notice being issued to their Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police (DGPs). The Court has now clarified that the registration of FIRs is mandatory for all missing persons, including adults.

The Supreme Court's clarification has significant implications for lawyers advising clients on missing persons cases. With the Court making it clear that FIRs must be registered immediately upon receiving information about a missing person, regardless of age or gender, lawyers should ensure that their clients' families file an FIR promptly to initiate investigations. This is crucial in ensuring that missing persons are traced and reunited with their families as soon as possible.

Lawyers should note that the Supreme Court has clarified its earlier order, making it clear that FIRs must be registered immediately upon receiving information about a missing person, regardless of age or gender. This means that lawyers advising clients on missing persons cases should ensure that their clients' families file an FIR promptly to initiate investigations.

Source: Original reporting via [Source Name]