10-year-old Chandigarh rape victim's child fathered by younger uncle: Police
What's the story
The DNA sample of the 10-year-old Chandigarh rape victim's child has matched with girl's younger maternal uncle and not with the elder one, said police. While the elder maternal uncle also raped the girl, the child was fathered by his brother. Last month, the investigation teams started to hit a wall when the elder one's DNA samples didn't match with the baby's. Read more!
Details
Fresh DNA sample report produced in court
After the elder maternal uncle's DNA report came negative, on 11 September, the police started looking for a second suspect. On 19 September, they arrested the girl's younger maternal uncle. The fresh report by Mohali's Central Forensic Science Laboratory surmised the second uncle fathered the newborn. The report was then produced in the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge, Poonam R Joshi.
DNA Samples
Girl told investigators that younger uncle raped her too
The victim accused her younger maternal uncle of rape while recording a statement, after which the police sought the court's permission to rematch the DNA samples. Blood samples of the brothers and some of the girl's neighbors were sent for DNA tests. Now that the second uncle's samples matched, investigating officer Gurjeet Kaur said a supplementary chargesheet will be submitted to the court.
Quote
Younger uncle fathered the child: Police
A senior police officer said, "While the main accused (elder uncle) had also raped the victim, it is clear that the father of the baby is the younger uncle." Police said had others also raped the 10-year-old, they would have been arrested by now.
Abortion Plea
The survivor had knocked on SC's doors for relief
The 10-year-old got pregnant after being raped several times by an uncle. She approached a court for abortion but was denied permission. Later, there was a fresh ray of hope when the case went to the SC, but it too refused, basing its verdict on a medical report. The MTP Act allows abortions upto 20 weeks in certain circumstances. The victim was 26-weeks pregnant.
Delivery
10-year-old rape-survivor delivers baby, not yet told she's a mother
The 10-year-old rape victim delivered a baby girl at Chandigarh's Government Medical College and Hospital on 17 August. The girl didn't know she delivered a baby. She was told she had a stone in her stomach. The newborn was premature and weighed less than 2.1kg. A DNA test was conducted on the elder uncle and charges were framed against him on 30 August.
Future
What will happen to the newborn now?
The girl's family has "surrendered" the baby for adoption. The Child Welfare Committee will be responsible for the newborn after she's discharged. For two months, she will stay at Aashiana, the state adoption agency. Then her adoption process will start. "We are hopeful she will get foster parents in less than a year as many families want newborns," said Neil Roberts, CWC Chairperson.