LUCKNOW: The DNA sample of 71-year-old Samajwadi Party functionary Moeed Khan did not match with that of the fetus belonging to the 12-year-old Ayodhya gang-rape survivor, but instead matched with the DNA of his domestic help Raju Khan.
This was revealed after UP govt submitted Monday the DNA report to the Lucknow bench of Allahabad HC . After taking the report on record, the bench of Justice Pankaj Bhatia set the next hearing on Oct 3.Moeed’s bail petition is likely to be heard then.
According to family’s police complaint, the girl from the scheduled caste Nishad community was hired as a daily wage labourer and repeatedly raped by Moeed and Raju for two-and-a-half months since mid-May in Bhadarsa, a township about 21km southwest of Ayodhya. The crime was detected after she became pregnant.
Police filed a case under Pocso Act and both suspects were arrested on July 30. Police also conducted an investigation and filed a chargesheet on Sept 10.
The survivor, who was 10-week pregnant, had undergone an abortion at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Lucknow on Aug 7 with the consent of her parents and medical experts.
Moeed had pleaded in his bail plea that he is an old man and was framed for political reasons. It was also alleged that no documents were given to the accused.
The crime had triggered a political storm, with BJP accusing SP of supporting criminals. It has become a major issue before bypolls in 10 assembly seats in the state. CM Yogi Adityanath promised stern action and accused SP of shielding a rape suspect. On Aug 3, authorities demolished a bakery owned by Moeed in Bhadarsa, alleging that its construction was illegal.
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