Failing to get any vital lead into the alleged rape and murder of two cousins in Badaun, and also facing embarrassment after their efforts to exhume the bodies of victims for a fresh autopsy also went in vein so far, the sleuths of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), are now trying to get some breakthrough with the help of DNA analysis of personal belongings and vaginal swabs of the two girls. The sampleswould be sent for DNA analysis at a laboratory in Hyderabad.
Sources said that the CBI team which is hoping of getting some vital lead through second autopsy of the two victims had now decided to send their clothes and a few other personal belongings and their Vaginal swabs collected by local doctors, to the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics in Hyderabad for DNA analysis. The Centre is likely to give a report within a week to the probing team after receiving the samples. The belongings which included slippers of one of the victim and a broken mobile phone along with clothes of the victims etc have been collected by the CBI.
The team of CBI and Medical Board had visited the family of the two rape victims as it could not conduct a fresh autopsy because the rising water level of the Ganges river inundated the graves of the two sisters. The sources said the analysis of DNA collected from the personal belongings is expected to provide evidence indicating the rapists. CBI claimed that the swabs can be stored for long and the results may not be affected so they hope of getting some breakthrough. Sources said that the swab test, the forensic experts first try to differentiate male and female cells in the swab using a variety of chemicals and later from the male cells they identify DNA in sperm cells. By doing the cross-examination with the sperms of the suspects, the forensic experts can identify the accused. Sources further said that in the absence of any fresh autopsy, the medical board has to rely on DNA analysis which can be recovered from the personal belongings of the victims.
It may be mentioned that the alleged rape and murder had come to light on May 28 when the bodies of two cousins, aged 14 and 15 years old, were found hanging from a tree in the village in Ushait area in Badaun district, sparking a nationwide outrage. They had gone missing from their homes on the night of May 27. Police arrested five suspects who include two policemen but the case was transferred to CBI by the state government under pressure. On the advice of the three-member forensic panel headed by expert from AIIMS Dr Adarsh Kumar, the agency had sought for a fresh autopsy of the victims by exhuming their bodies. The cousins being minors were buried by their families next to the Ganges river. The decision to carry out fresh autopsy was taken as the post-mortem report of the local doctor was only suggestive of rape without conclusively proving it. On Saturday and again on Sunday, attempts were made by CBI to exhume the bodies but they failed to do so due to the gushing water of the river.