CBI plans to conduct DNA tests in Hanskhali rape case in West Bengal
New Delhi, April 15
The CBI, which is probing the Hanskhali rape case in West Bengal, today indicated that it was planning to conduct DNA tests to ascertain whether or not the samples collected from the crime spot match with those found on the arrested accused person.
A Class IX student was allegedly raped on April 4 in Hanskhali in West Bengal’s Nadia district during a birthday party at the house of the prime accused, a local TMC leader’s son. She died after the incident.
Her father filed a police complaint on April 10, and alleged that the accused had snatched the body at gunpoint and cremated her.
Officials in the CBI said investigators visited the house again on Friday morning to gather more evidence after collecting samples from the spot on Thursday night. Now, they plan to collect samples from the arrested accused, they added.
“The investigators will collect DNA samples from the arrested accused and match those with the samples found from the spot. This will be a crucial step in the investigation. They will continue their search operations at different locations in Hanskhali,” the officials said.
The CBI personnel, along with officials of the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), had on Thursday searched the premises, where the crime was allegedly committed and the entire operation was videographed, they said, adding the search continued till late night and was delayed due to a power cut in the area. The Calcutta High Court had directed the CBI to take up investigation into the case.
However, CM Mamata Banerjee is reported to have expressed her doubt about the cause of the girl’s death, which her family attributed to rape, and wondered whether the Class IX student died after falling down after being slapped by someone.
Banerjee is also reported to have claimed that the deceased had an affair with the prime accused and wondered if she was pregnant. She had also asked why the victim’s family had filed a police complaint five days after cremating the body.
Opposition parties described Banerjee’s statement as “shocking” and alleged that she sought to shield the accused as he is the son of a leader of her party. (With PTI inputs)
