Mumbai, July 7 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly during Question Hour that the state government is taking strict disciplinary and legal action against the police personnel involved in the Jalgaon Jamod missing woman case, citing a severe lapse in the investigation.

Responding to a query raised by MLA Rohit Pawar, Fadnavis detailed the shocking series of events. A missing person’s complaint had been registered regarding a local woman.

Following the discovery of an unidentified body, the police hastily concluded it belonged to the missing woman without any definitive scientific validation or final verification.

Based on this flawed conclusion, the police wrapped up the case and went as far as arresting the woman’s own parents on charges of murder.

The investigation took a dramatic turn when the missing woman later turned up alive and presented herself at the local police station, forcing the police to release her wrongfully detained parents.

The chief minister confirmed that a separate, independent investigation is now underway to identify the discovered body.

He said the police’s conduct in this case has been entirely unacceptable. All involved officers from the Local Crime Branch, including Police Inspectors and Assistant Police Inspectors, have been suspended, and criminal charges are being filed against them.

He further emphasised that suspension is merely a preliminary step. Once direct culpability is established through due process, the government will initiate proceedings to permanently dismiss the guilty officials from service.

Additionally, the chief minister highlighted that the state government has analysed around 1,600 to 1,700 missing person cases using newly developed Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, successfully identifying seven unidentified bodies so far.

The ongoing investigation into the unidentified body in this case is also utilising this AI system.

In light of the immense trauma faced by the wrongfully accused parents, the state government has announced financial compensation for the victimised family.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar informed the Legislative Assembly that a criminal case has been registered and a thorough investigation is underway regarding a controversial prayer meeting held at a private school in Malad West.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar during Question Hour, Bhoyar stated that a complaint was received regarding an event held on May 10, 2026, at the Rejoice International School in Malad West.

According to the complaint, an individual conducting the prayer meeting placed his hands on the heads of attendees, claiming he could cure illnesses and alleviate life’s suffering. Initial police inquiries revealed that while there was no explicit coercion for religious conversion during the event, the organiser had reportedly instructed a complainant to remove pictures of deities from their home.

Furthermore, the preliminary probe concluded that the nature of the event promoted superstition, said the minister. Consequently, the Malad Police have registered a case under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act.

Bhoyar assured the House that a detailed investigation is underway into all facets of the incident, and that strict action will be taken against those found guilty.

He added that the state’s School Education Department will be directed to issue strict guidelines to ensure such events are not organised within school premises in the future.

–IANS

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