Missing Lawyer Mystery: Allahabad High Court Sets Police Deadline

The Allahabad High Court has mandated police to locate high court lawyer Jai Shankar Upadhyay, missing for three years, within a month. The directive followed a habeas corpus writ petition filed by the lawyer's brother, Abhaykant Upadhyay. A division bench scheduled the next hearing for October 27.

The court insisted on progress reports and demanded the presence of senior crime officers on the next date. Abhaykant, however, accused the police of harassment during investigations. In response, the court granted investigative freedom, provided no coercive measures are used.

Despite efforts, including an SIT and attempts for a narco test denied by the magistrate court, the investigation has stalled. With the possibility of exploring alternative methods, the case of kidnapping remains unresolved since its registration in September 2022.

(With inputs from agencies.)