DNA and other forensic reports, including the report on detailed medical examination of the 52-year-old Danish gang-rape victim conducted at Copenhagen at the request of Indian government, on Friday sealed the fate of five accused in the sensational gang-rape case of 2014.
The court, which awarded them life imprisonment till their death, relied on these reports and observed that the involvement of the accused was “proved beyond reasonable doubt through the scientific evidence i.e. the DNA report”.
It noted that matching of the DNA profile clearly connected these accused with the commission of crime and there was no possibility of any manipulation in medical examination and DNA report prepared in a foreign country.
“Furthermore, it is very important to mention that as per request from Indian government, the victim lady was subjected to detail medical examination at Copenhagen and PW 25, expert from FSL (Rohini), has clearly stated that similarity has been observed in the report prepared at Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Copenhagen and the report prepared by him,” Additional Sessions Judge Ramesh Kumar said.
“Judicial notice can be taken that there is no possibility of any manipulation in medical examination and DNA report prepared at foreign country i.e. Copenhagen and no suggestion has been given by the defence in this regard also,” the court said.
It said medical examination of the victim conducted in Copenhagen also corroborated with the forensic science laboratory (FSL) report here.
“The DNA profile was generated from clothings of the victim which was seized from the spot in the night of incident itself and those DNA profile matched with the DNA profile generated from the samples of accused persons. Thus, it is clear that accused persons are the offenders who committed the offence,” the court said in its 69-page judgment.
It observed that the “most vital evidence” to connect all these accused with the commission of crime was the DNA report.
Following is the chronology of events in the Danish gang-rape case
Jan 14, 2014: Danish woman loses way, approaches a group of several men asking for directions. They take her to a secluded spot near New Delhi Railway station and nine persons gang-raped her at knife point.
Jan 15, 2014: Victim leaves for Denmark without medical test. Eventually, 9 men including three juveniles were arrested. Police book accused persons for various alleged offences including gang-rape, kidnapping and robbery or dacoity with an attempt to cause death or grievous hurt. Doctors in Denmark confirm rape.
Dec 25, 2014: Court directs investigating officer (IO) to give report on the procedure to secure victim’s presence before it for recording her statement.
Jan 12-13, 2015: Eyewitness Shivji Singh, a gardener with Indian Railways, identifies the six adult accused in court as the ones who gang-raped the woman.
Jan 29: Court begins trial, records statements of prosecution witnesses.
Jul 1: Danish woman appears in court as witness, records testimony and identifies some of the accused. The next day, the victim deposes before Juvenile Justice Board carrying out proceedings against 3 minors but fails to identify them.
May 25, 2016: Court concludes hearing final arguments, reserves judgment in the case.
June 6: Court convicts five adult accused for offences of gang-rape, dacoity, kidnapping, wrongful confinement, criminal intimidation and common intention of IPC.
June 10: Court awards life term to five convicts.