The CID,Chhattisgarh,will soon take DNA samples of 25 policemen of Chando police station in Surguja,who were involved in an alleged encounter in July that led to the death of 16-year-old Meena Khalkho. While the police claim she was a Naxalite and habitual to sex,residents of her village Karcha have accused police of killing her after gangrape and then dubbing her a Naxalite. Following an uproar,the CID was asked to probe the matter. The decision to take the samples came following a forensic report confirming the presence of semen on her (Meenas) vaginal swabs and underwear. Dr R S Markam,who conducted the post mortem,has also contradicted the police version,saying the girl died around 3-4 am on the night of July 5-6,at least four hours before the cops say she died of wounds. The doctor added: Our observation suggested the presence of semen of many persons (on her underwear). Investigative Officer B S Maravi (IG) told The Indian Express: We could have taken the DNA samples but since judicial inquiry was recently ordered,investigations have been put on hold. We are taking the advice of legal experts.
