Madhya Pradesh High Court Orders SIT Probe In Bageshwar Dham Rape Case After DNA Excludes Accused
- DNA Exclusion: Forensic analysis of the preserved foetus and placenta proved that Raju Jatav was not the biological father, prompting his bail plea.
- Contradictory Statements: The high court noted contradictions in the victim's testimony after she initially accused Jatav before turning hostile during the trial.
- SIT Directives: The court ordered the Chhatarpur superintendent of police to deploy an SIT to uncover the full sequence of events and identify the biological father.
- Temple Advisory: Following the incident and subsequent public attention, the Bageshwar Dham temple management issued safety advisories cautioning women visitors against strangers.
The Context & Background
The case came to light after the 16-year-old girl left her home following a family dispute in March and alleged she was assaulted at the pilgrimage site in Chhatarpur district. While Jatav was arrested and imprisoned, subsequent legal proceedings revealed forensic discrepancies and shifting victim statements, prompting judicial intervention to uncover the truth.
Why it matters:This high court intervention highlights critical investigative loopholes and the complexities surrounding forensic evidence and witness hostility in sensitive criminal cases. By ordering an SIT probe, the judiciary ensures a deeper examination of gender-based violence allegations while addressing potential wrongful detentions and systemic flaws.
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