Odisha: CFSL rules out rape in Kunduli case

Bhubaneswar: Amid furore over alleged inconsistencies in forensic tests of Kunduli rape survivor, who committed suicide on January 22, the Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL) in its findings has ruled out such charge and said it matches the with State Forensic Lab’s report, official sources said.

The Kolkata-based CFSL, in its findings, clarified that there was “no presence of semen” in the victim’s undergarments.

Addressing a press conference here this evening, State Crime Branch SP R.B. Panigrahi said: “The CFSL is categorical in stating that from the wearing apparels of the alleged victim girl only human blood of female origin was found and no stains of semen or saliva was detected which confirms the integrity of the final report earlier submitted by SFSL to Hon’ble court.”

The stains available on the wearing apparals of the victim yielded identicial autosomal genetic profiles of female origin from one and the same female individual only, the SP added quoting the CFSL Director.

Also Read: Kunduli case: Odisha CB sends ‘exhibits’ to CFSL for re-examination

The Crime Branch of Odisha Police inquiring into the sensational case, on January 30, had sent the exhibits seized in the case to CFSL, for re-examination to clear all speculation and to establish fairness and transparency in investigation.

Notably, the role of police and SFSL came under the scanner after a local TV channel reported about glaring discrepancies were noticed in the initial draft serology test of the girl’s undergarment and the subsequent DNA profiling test.

While the draft test conducted by the SFSL on October 18, eight days after the alleged rape, clearly indicated the presence of semen of two different persons of blood groups A and B in her cloth, the final DNA profiling report claimed presence of vaginal secretions on her cloth.

It may be recalled here that a minor tribal girl of Sorisapadar village, who was allegedly gang raped by a group of security personnel on October 10 last year when she was returning from Kunduli market near the village in Koraput, committed suicide at her house on January 22. The incident had triggered massive public outrage across the state.