Koraput rape case: Odisha DGP asks crime branch to probe forensic test discrepancy

BHUBANESWAR: Director general of police R P Sharma on Sunday ordered a probe by crime branch into shocking flip-flop of forensic test report in alleged Koraput rape case that triggered massive uproar. Sharma said action will be taken against those guilty, if inquiry reveals error, sabotage or tampering by anyone at any stages of the controversial forensic examination.
Sharma, upon being contacted said thet he is likely to get the inquiry report from the crime branch within a day or two."I have directed the crime branch to immediately secure a report from state forensic science laboratory (SFSL) about procedures of their examination and whether they followed proper standard operating procedure. Truth will come out," Sharma told TOI.
Role of police and SFSL came under the scanner after discrepancy was noticed in the initial serology test of the girl’s undergarment and subsequent DNA profiling test. While the serology test clearly indicated the presence of semen in her cloth, DNA profiling test later ruled out the stains of semen. Earlier, the medical test of the girl ruled out rape. The girl ended her life on January 22.
The SFSL on Sunday reiterated that they conducted fair examination of all exhibits, collected by the police from crime scene and sent to the lab for test. "During the test, exhibits underwent test at different divisions of the lab. The tests were conducted repeatedly to eliminate chance of error. The final DNA profiling test was error-free and conclusive," SFSL director P C Mandal told TOI.
Police denied to have influenced the SFSL, even though opposition parties continue to blame the law enforcement agency for allegedly trying to hush up the case. Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday slammed the state government and police on the raging issue and dared chief minister Naveen Patnaik to order CBI probe. "The Naveen Patnaik government and police officers went an extra mile in suppressing the truth (forensic report). Naveen has reddened his hands with blood of the girl, who was forced to commit suicide. Naveen will face the girl’s curse," Pradhan said.
BJD spokesperson Amar Satapathy said the judicial inquiry is in progress into the case. "Opposition should not politicise the issue. We should wait till the judicial inquiry is completed. The government is committed to bring out the truth," Satapathy told media persons.