MPHC seeks reply from govt on missing youth

Jabalpur, Oct 22 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court today sought a reply from the state government regarding the disappearance of a youth injured in firing during an attack on the house of one Rajendra Patel in Harda district.

While hearing a plea by the youth Durgesh Jat's father Ramvilas, Chief Justice Anang Kumar Patnaik and Justice Ajit Singh directed that the reply be submitted in two days. The bench felt that, prima facie, the case seemed fit to be handed over to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

''On March 5, (state Revenue Minister) Kamal Patel's son Sandeep and some of his friends attacked Mr R Patel's residence in Harda district's Dev Talab village,'' Petitioner's Counsel Manikant Sharma submitted.

Both sides opened fire and Sandeep's friend Durgesh -- who hailed from Dewas district's Chaplasa village -- sustained a leg injury.

Sandeep and his friends fled carrying Durgesh along. The injured youth was taken to the Minister's Harda residence where the Superintendent of Police (SP) and five personnel were present.

The latter took Durgesh to an undisclosed location and he was missing ever since.

''My client submitted applications to the police and administration but the police took no action to search for the youth,'' submitted Mr Sharma while praying for a CBI probe.

The SP, a Station House Officer and a Crime Investigation Department officer submitted replies today.

In a reply through their counsel, the Minister and his son said that they were being trapped due to political vendetta.

UNI RG-AC 2104