Jayesh Patel.
Suspended BJP leader and trustee of privately-run Parul University, Jayesh Patel, the accused in the alleged rape of a nursing student, was taken for a medical examination to the SSG Hospital here for mandatory medical test. Earlier, the primary health centre (PHC) in Waghodia referred him to SSG Hospital, where his blood and semen samples were collected and sent to Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Vadodara and Surat for DNA profiling in the case.
The development came a day after the police informed the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court in Waghodia while seeking Patel’s remand that he had refused to cooperate during the medical tests after his arrest on Tuesday night. The remand application of the police stated that Patel had cited his constitutional rights and refused to give his blood sample for DNA profiling in the rape case at the PHC in Waghodia. However, after the police sought a reference to a medical board, on Thursday, Patel cooperated with the police and allowed his blood and semen samples to be collected.
“We have collected samples of blood and semen for medical examination, as required for police investigation. Jayesh Patel was cooperative during the medical test.” said Kavita Bhandari, Medico Legal Officer at SSG Hospital.
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According to police officials, Patel, who is diabetic has remained uncooperative during the interrogation. Police interrogating Jayesh and co-accused hostel rector Bhavna Chauhan, say the duo have not revealed anything crucial in the case.
Vadodara Superintendent of Police Saurabh Tolumbia said, “We have formed different teams for investigation in this case. Strict interrogation of Jayesh Patel and Bhavna Chauhan will be done as they are not supporting us in the investigation. We will also make them confront one another during the interrogation to corroborate facts. Today, at SSG Hospital a medical team has collected necessary samples of Jayesh Patel for mandatory medical test, which we have sent to FSL for analysis. One of the investigation team along with Bhavna Chauhan is heading to her residence in Unjha in Mehsana where she was hiding.”
Meanwhile, Jayesh Patel has been confined to his lock up in Karjan – with the police deciding to keep him there for security reasons – although the case is registered in Waghodia. A constable is keeping constant watch on him as Patel’s counsel Kaushik Bhatt had informed the court that he suffers from diabetes and an advanced stage of liver cirrhosis for which he is on medication.
“So far, no one from his family has come to visit him. He does not have any money with him either. He is eating the meals we provide to like other arrested accused. He was brought out of the lock up only to take his insulin dose,” an officer said.
Jayesh Patel (66) was arrested June 21, he had been absconding after he was booked for rape on June 17. A local court in Vadodara has remanded Jayesh Patel police custody to till June 30.
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