After 30-Year Legal Battle, Missing Man’s Family Gets Murder Case Registered

PTI, Jalaun (UP), Sep 18, 2025:After a 30-year legal battle, the family of a man who went missing in 1995 has successfully had a murder case registered. The breakthrough came following a court order, which also instructed the police to investigate the disappearance of the original case file.

The case dates back to 1995, when Pradeep Kumar Bajpai, a 22-year-old resident of Subhash Nagar in Jalaun district, disappeared while returning from a statue immersion ceremony. His father, Umashankar Bajpai, filed a complaint at the Kotra police station, alleging that Pradeep was murdered by seven close relatives, including Kuldeep Narayan.

However, despite his efforts, the police failed to register an FIR. Undeterred, Umashankar Bajpai approached the district court in 1998, which ordered the police to register the case. But, the order went unheeded, and the police still did not take action.

The case seemed to stall for years, but in June 2025, Umashankar’s younger son, Devendra Bajpai, continued the fight by appealing to the High Court. On June 18, 2025, the High Court directed the district judge to ensure that the case was officially registered. Sadly, by this time, Umashankar Bajpai had passed away.

A significant twist in the case came when it was revealed that all related documents had disappeared, including the original case file. Despite this, Devendra Bajpai continued the legal struggle, seeking justice for his brother.

In compliance with the High Court’s order, the Judicial Magistrate’s Court in Jalaun issued a directive on September 10, instructing the Kotra police to file the case. An FIR was eventually registered on September 11, under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code.

Superintendent of Police Durgesh Kumar confirmed that the investigation has now begun, including the collection of evidence and witness statements. He also assured that action would be taken against the accused based on the investigation's findings. Additionally, the court has ordered an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of the original case file, which had stalled the case for so long.

This long-awaited development marks a significant step towards justice for Pradeep Kumar Bajpai and his family, who have spent three decades in their pursuit of truth.