Introduction

The tragic case of 23-year-old Mitali, whose body was found wrapped in plastic two days after she went missing, is more than just an isolated incident. It represents a broader failure in our law enforcement system, media accountability, and government policies aimed at protecting women. Her death, like many others before her, highlights the harsh reality of delayed justice, media bias, and a system that often prioritizes influence over fairness.

Mitali’s story should have been a national issue. It should have sparked debates, raised demands for justice, and pushed authorities into immediate action. Yet, what happened instead was disturbing silence. There was no major outcry, no round-the-clock media coverage, and no immediate action from authorities. This raises a critical question—why do some cases receive national attention while others are ignored? Why does it take media pressure for justice to be served?

A Broken Law Enforcement System

One of the biggest failures in Mitali’s case was the delayed response from law enforcement. When a person goes missing, every second counts. The first 24 to 48 hours are critical, as timely action can mean the difference between life and death. In many cases, swift police action has led to the rescue of missing individuals, but unfortunately, this is not the norm. In Mitali’s case, it appears that her disappearance was not taken seriously enough in the beginning.

This is not the first time that law enforcement’s inaction has led to a tragic outcome. Across India, families of missing individuals struggle to even get an FIR registered. Many times, police dismiss missing women as runaways, delaying crucial investigations. If Mitali’s case had been treated with urgency, could she have been saved? This is a painful question that lingers in every such case.

Despite the presence of laws designed to protect women, the gap between legislation and implementation remains massive. The Nirbhaya Act, introduced after the horrific 2012 Delhi gang rape, promised swift justice and stricter punishment for crimes against women. Similarly, the government has announced multiple initiatives aimed at improving women’s safety, including women’s helplines, fast-track courts, and surveillance systems. But the reality remains bleak. The actual implementation of these policies is weak, and justice remains painfully slow.

There is also a concerning pattern in how authorities respond to cases based on social and economic background. If a woman from an influential family goes missing, the response is often immediate and well-organized. However, when an ordinary citizen like Mitali disappears, the urgency is lost. This leads to an important question—why does justice depend on social status? If all lives are equal under the law, why do some cases get more importance than others?

Media Silence: Why Are Some Cases Ignored?

One of the most heartbreaking aspects of Mitali’s case is the silence from national media. In a country where news channels devote endless hours to celebrity affairs, political fights, and entertainment gossip, the brutal murder of a young woman barely received any coverage. This is a disturbing trend that raises serious questions about the ethics of journalism and the role of the media in shaping public discourse.

The media has a powerful role in ensuring justice. When a case gains national attention, authorities are pressured into acting swiftly. We have seen this happen in cases where widespread media coverage led to immediate arrests, special investigations, and government interventions. However, this kind of attention is not given to all cases. Crimes against ordinary citizens, particularly women from marginalized backgrounds, often go unnoticed.

Selective journalism is a harsh reality. If a case does not have a high-profile victim, a political angle, or a shocking element, it is often buried under other news. This raises the question—why are some victims more important than others? If a young woman is murdered, should her life not be valued the same as anyone else’s? The lack of media attention not only denies justice but also sends a dangerous message—that some lives matter more than others.

The dependence on media for justice is deeply flawed. Crimes should be investigated because they are crimes, not because they receive media attention. The responsibility of ensuring justice lies with the government and law enforcement agencies, not television ratings or social media trends. However, in today’s reality, it often seems that unless a case goes viral, it is not treated with urgency.

The Larger Pattern of Injustice

Mitali’s case is not an exception but a pattern. Every year, thousands of women go missing in India, and a large number of them are never found. Many cases of missing women are linked to human trafficking, sexual violence, and murder, yet they fail to make it to mainstream news. Some of the most horrifying cases of violence against women have only come to light because of mass protests or social media activism. But what about the countless cases that never get public attention?

We have seen similar failures in other cases. The Hathras gang rape case of 2020 sparked outrage only after media pressure forced authorities to take action. The Payal Tadvi suicide case in 2019, involving caste-based discrimination in medical institutions, was largely ignored by national news outlets until activists pushed for justice. And in countless villages, small towns, and cities, women continue to be abducted, assaulted, and murdered, without anyone even knowing their names.

The larger issue is that justice in India seems to be selective. Whether or not a case is solved, whether or not the government takes action, and whether or not the police act swiftly—all seem to depend on how much attention a case receives. This is a dangerous precedent that must be challenged. Every life should matter, regardless of media coverage, political interest, or public outrage.

Conclusion: A Call for Change

Mitali’s case is a heartbreaking reminder of the failures in India’s justice system. It shows us that despite having laws, policies, and institutions meant to protect women, the reality is very different. Her tragic death should have been a moment of national reckoning, but instead, it was met with silence.

If things do not change, there will be many more cases like Mitali’s. To prevent this, India must take urgent steps to reform its approach to law enforcement, media coverage, and government accountability. Police forces must be trained to treat every missing person case with urgency, regardless of social background. The media must recognize its role as a watchdog of justice and ensure equal coverage for all crimes, not just high-profile ones. And most importantly, the government must go beyond empty promises and ensure that laws meant to protect women are actually enforced in reality.

Justice should not depend on media attention, public outrage, or political convenience. Every person deserves to be protected, respected, and treated with dignity. The fight for justice should not stop at Mitali—it should continue until no woman has to suffer the same fate.

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