SIT seeks narco analysis test of Nayagarh rape-murder accused

BHUBANESWAR: The special investigation team (SIT), probing the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in Nayagarh district, has moved a Pocso court, seeking permission to conduct narco analysis test on the accused, Saroj Sethi.
Since inconsistencies were found in the statements of the accused during interrogation, narco test is being sought, said an SIT source.
The SIT has filed the petition in Nayagarh Pocso court, which is likely to take up the matter for hearing on Tuesday.The sequence of events leading to the murder is not matching with the statements. Hopefully, narco test will help getting a lead, said a senior police officer.
According to rule, the accused has to give his consent to narco test before the court after which the SIT can go ahead. If the accused says no to the test, the SIT can’t conduct the test.
An SIT source said seeking narco test is a tactical move on the part of the investigating team. If the accused refuses to undergo the test, suspicion will grow further against the accused.
If the test proves to be successful, then it will be easy for the SIT to nail the accused, the source said. Earlier, the bone ossification test had been done on the accused to ascertain his age as his lawyers and family members claimed him to be a juvenile. The ossification test revealed that he was above 18 years. Thereafter, the Pocso court granted the SIT three-day remand of the accused for further interrogation.
On Monday, the accused’s lawyer also filed a petition, challenging he was not a major by producing a Class X and birth certificate of Saroj. The lawyer maintained the birth certificate reveals February 6, 2003, as the date of birth of the accused which means he was 17 years and five months on the day the crime took place. The crime took place in July, 2020. The girl went missing on July 14. Her decomposed body was found on July 23.
After the SIT took over the case following the government’s order, its chief Arun Bothra had revealed that the victim was first murdered and then raped, which pointed to necrophilia.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)