New Delhi: A DNA test helped Delhi Police solve the rape case of a 15-year-old girl in north Delhi’s Timarpur. Her uncle was arrested after his DNA matched that of the baby born to the survivor. The girl, who was mentally challenged, was unable to identify her assailant despite counselling. With no other leads, police collected DNA samples from seven people, including neighbours and family members. The results confirmed the uncle, who lived nearby, as the perpetrator.Police said that on Jan 14, they received information from a hospital about the pregnancy of a mentally challenged and physically paralysed girl. The survivor, who used to live with her father and grandmother, couldn’t share any details, and her family members also claimed to be unaware of the pregnancy. A rape case was registered under relevant sections, including Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.DCP (north) Raja Banthia formed a team to investigate the matter. The inquiry revealed that the girl was pregnant for nearly seven months and was also suffering from heart-related issues. “Neither the girl nor her family provided any information about the incident. On Jan 17, she was referred to another hospital under police protection, where she gave birth to a male child in Feb and was discharged in March,” an officer said.Police said they suspected the family’s involvement and didn’t return the girl’s custody to them. She was sent to a children’s home while the infant was handed over to an NGO. Counselling sessions were conducted regularly—once every three days during the first month—at hospitals and with private counsellors to provide continuous psychological support.“The survivor’s statement was recorded in Feb at the hospital and later in March through audio-visual means. In both statements, she did not name any accused,” police said. The cops finally zeroed in on seven suspects, including family members, neighbours and others who either lived with her or visited her home. Blood samples were collected and sent to FSL Rohini for DNA profiling, along with that of the baby, in Feb and March. Senior officers followed up regularly to expedite the forensic results.A few days ago, the FSL result was received, which confirmed that the DNA of one of the suspects—her 29-year-old uncle—matched the blood sample of the survivor’s child. The police team immediately went to the accused’s residence and arrested him. Police said the uncle confessed that he used to drink with the survivor’s father at the latter’s house and, in a drunken state, sexually assaulted the girl twice a few months ago.
