Probe Ordered Into Police Handling of Kozhikode Realtor’s Disappearance

quick Summary

• Four police officers are under inquiry due to flaws in the initial investigation into Kozhikode-based realtor mohammed Attoor’s disappearance in 2023.
• A Crime Branch report pointed out failures in gathering scientific evidence and missing key CCTV footage during critical early stages of the probe.
• The inquiry, ordered by Additional Director General of Police Rajpal Meena (North Zone), will be supervised by an Assistant Commissioner of Police. The findings are expected within 60 days.
• Mohammed Attoor disappeared on August 21, 2023, prompting his family to approach the Kerala High Court for a CBI probe, which was denied. An action commitee also advocated for fair investigation procedures.
• The Crime Branch conducted extensive investigations, including questioning around 200 people and analyzing phone tower data to identify suspicious activity, but progress stalled due to lack of initial evidence from local police.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The departmental inquiry reflects heightened accountability within law enforcement agencies regarding procedural integrity in critically important cases like disappearances involving prominent individuals. Notably, the report underscores systemic issues such as lapses in securing timely evidence-particularly CCTV footage-that coudl have provided critical leads during initial “golden hours.” These gaps likely added delays and complexities to subsequent investigations by higher authorities like the Crime Branch.

For India’s justice system at large, this incident highlights challenges wiht coordination between various investigative entities and reliance on timely gathering of forensic inputs-an area that can significantly impact public trust if overlooked or mishandled. Prompt completion of such inquiries is crucial not only for identifying individual culpability but also for strengthening institutional protocols nationwide related to missing persons cases.

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