Swiss woman's rape: Cops to rely more on forensic evidence

In order to prove the charges against the accused in the March 15 Swiss woman gang rape case, the police said they would count more on the scientific evidence than traditional methods such as identification parade.

The trial in the gangrape case will begin on Saturday in the court of Special Additional District Judge, Jitendra Kumar Sharma. "We will rely more on scientific evidence such as DNA finger-printing, samples of hair and vaginal swab collected and examined in the case to nail the culprits in the court of law," Deputy Inspector General Chambal Range, D K Arya told PTI.

The police were unable to conduct the test identification parade of the accused as the victim was of the opinion that it was not possible to recognise them as the incident had taken place in the dark, police sources said.

"However, this would not weaken our case as we have also seized the victim's laptop, laptop-charger and mobile phone from the six arrested accused in this case and all these things were recognised by her (victim's) partner," Arya said, adding that all these things would act as a strong evidence to nail the accused in the case.

The arrested accused were identified as Baba, Bhutha, Rampro, Gaza alias Brajesh, Vishnu Kanjar and Nitin Kanjar, the police said. Except Nitin and Vishnu Kanjar, all others have been charged with gang rape.

The investigation officer, N S Rawat in-charge of women's cell, has filed a hundred page chargesheet on March 26 against the accused under various sections of gang rape and robbery.

Like other rape cases, the trial in this case too is likely to be held in a fast-track manner, the DIG said. The Swiss tourist, on a cycling trip along with her partner, was allegedly gang raped by the accused persons at a forest area in Datia district, on the night of March 15.

The incident took place at Jhadia village, eight kms from Datia town at around 9 pm on March 15, when the 39-year-old woman, along with her partner was touring the region on a bicycle as part of their India tour.

They were camping at a forest area for the night while on their way back from Orchha, home to temples of Lord Ram, and were proceeding to Agra when they were assaulted  and looted by the accused.

The incident, which triggered a public outcry, also rocked the state assembly which was adjourned sine die after the opposition Congress stalled the proceedings.