Why Is a Person Still Missing in CCTV-Surveilled Lucknow? Allahabad HC Seeks Personal Affidavit from Home Secretary

The Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench) on January 7, 2026, directed the Principal Secretary (Home), Government of Uttar Pradesh, to file a personal affidavit explaining why a person who went missing from the state capital in April last year has still not been traced, despite the presence of CCTV surveillance across the city.

The direction was passed by a division bench of Justice Abdul Moin and Justice Babita Rani while hearing a criminal miscellaneous writ petition filed by Smt. Sairun Nisha. The petition concerns a missing person who allegedly disappeared from Lucknow on April 22, 2025. A missing person report was lodged the very next day, on April 23, 2025.

At the outset, the bench took on record the personal affidavit filed by the Investigating Officer, which was placed before the court by the Additional Government Advocate. However, court found the affidavit unsatisfactory, noting that it only referred to efforts having been made by the police to trace the missing person, without any tangible outcome.

Court recorded that more than eight months had passed since the disappearance, yet the individual remained untraced. It expressed concern over the lack of results, particularly given that the incident took place in Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh.

The bench observed that it was “rather strange” that a person could go missing from a city equipped with CCTV cameras on all major roads and chaurahas and still not be traced after such a long period. The judges noted that the affidavit failed to address this concern in any meaningful manner.

Terming the matter as serious, the high court decided to seek an explanation from the highest level of the state’s home administration. It directed the Principal Secretary (Home), Government of Uttar Pradesh, to file a personal affidavit explaining why, despite the lapse of over eight months and the extensive CCTV infrastructure in the state capital, the missing person could not be traced.

Court made it clear that the affidavit must be filed within three weeks. It further cautioned that in the event of non-compliance, the Principal Secretary (Home) would be required to appear in person before the court on the next date of hearing, along with the relevant records, to assist the bench.

The case has been listed for further hearing on February 4, 2026.

Case Title: Smt. Sairun Nisha vs. State Of U.P. Thru. Secy. Home Lko. And Another

Order Date: January 7, 2026

Bench: Justices Abdul Moin and Babita Rani