Lucknow, March 25 -- A girl went missing from the state capital in April last year, despite the presence of CCTV surveillance across the city. The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has directed the additional chief secretary (home), to file a personal affidavit (reply) within three weeks, indicating the progress made in the matter. Listing the case for April15, the court warned that in case a personal affidavit is not filed then the ACS (home) shall appear in person along with relevant records to assist the court. "In the interregnum, it would be open for the petitioner to approach the competent authority for registration of the FIR. In case the petitioner approaches the competent authority by means of an appropriate application, appropriate action may be taken on the same," the court ordered. The order was passed by a division bench of justice Abdul Moin and justice Babita Rani on March 17 in response to a petition filed by Sairun Nisha. The petition concerns a missing girl who allegedly disappeared from Lucknow on April 22, 2025 along with her vehicle. A missing person's report was lodged the very next day, on April 23, 2025, yet the girl could not be traced. According to the court's earlier order, the personal affidavit filed on March 17, indicated various efforts made to trace the missing girl. State counsel stated that the matter is being investigated vigorously. He requested for and was granted 3 weeks' time to file another personal affidavit of the additional chief secretary. In another affidavit filed on February 12 by the ACS( home), it was indicated that a team of eight officers had been constituted being headed by an ACP vide order dated February 5, 2026, a copy of which was filed with the personal affidavit. The state counsel stated that regular updates will be given to the DCP (West), Lucknow. He further stated that the matter is being looked into with all urgency. He requested for and was granted three weeks' time to file the personal affidavit of the additional chief secretary (home), indicating the progress made further in the matter. The court in its earlier order had observed that it was "rather strange" that a person could go missing from a city equipped with CCTV cameras on all major roads and crossings and still not be traced after such a long period. Terming the matter as serious, the high court had decided to seek an explanation from the highest level of the state's home administration. MANOJ KUMAR SINGH...