Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has expressed serious concern over the alleged illegal detention of an Odisha woman in Dubai and directed the authorities to take immediate steps to rescue her and bring her back to India.Hearing a habeas corpus petition on April 20, a division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Ramana noted lapses in the police action and stressed the urgency of coordinated intervention through diplomatic channels.The petition, filed by Titlagarh-based social activist Ranju Raiman, alleges that Hasta Bisi (37), a resident of Jagua village in Bolangir district, has been held hostage in a villa in Dubai by a foreign national with the alleged help of some local people. The matter gained momentum when a video clip surfaced on social media in which the woman appealed to the Indian government for help.The court said that despite the matter coming to the notice of the local police, no FIR was registered nor any clear action was taken. Keeping in mind the international dimension, the bench sought assistance from Deputy Solicitor General Prasanna Kumar Parahi to facilitate the proceedings.Parhi informed the court that initial efforts had been made, but the absence of crucial documents, including passport details, had hindered meaningful progress. Responding to this, petitioner’s lawyer Ashish Kumar Mishra said that the Bolangir Deputy Superintendent of Police already had the relevant documents, including the photocopy of the victim’s passport, which was shared with her family.After this, the bench directed state counsel Aishwarya Dash to immediately provide all the available documents from the police to the Deputy Solicitor General. It further directed that, on receipt of these documents, steps should be taken without delay in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the repatriation or deportation of the woman.According to the petition, Hasta Bisi’s husband had moved to Mumbai with his family for livelihood eight years ago, following circumstances which allegedly worsened his current situation abroad. His mother Laba Bisi had lodged a complaint at Titlagarh police station on January 6 this year.The high court has posted the matter for further hearing on May 11, 2026, underscoring the need for prompt action for the safe return of the woman.