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French doctor questions Lalitha Oraon's status as minor

Ranvir Nayar in Paris

In a development that could undermine the foundation on which the Lalita Oraon case has been constructed, a reputed French doctor has questioned the medical procedures which led to the conclusion by the French authorities that Lalita is a minor.

Dr Jean Dax, who has worked with the reputed American Hospital of Paris for the last 50 years, told rediff.com that it is impossible for a medical examination of the nature that Oraon is supposed to have undergone to reveal her precise age.

''The Indian passport states her age to be 19 years, while after the medical examination here in Paris, her age has been stated to be 17 years. It is impossible to be so precise about the age of a person through just a medical examination. You can get a rough idea about the age, but never can you home in to a precise year,'' Dr Dax said.

Sources say the doctors who examined Lalita established her age only by asking her when she had attained puberty, a method that can only help vaguely establish someone's age and is not evidence enough on which to base a case.

Observers say the French authorities's attitude in this case has been surprising. ''They have disregarded the only document -- an official Indian passport -- which states her age and have instead taken recourse to these uncertain methods to establish that she is a minor. The only record -- her passport -- states she is a major,'' says an observer.

By establishing her as a minor, the French authorities, as well as the non governmental organisation involved in the case -- the Committee Francaise Contre Esclavage Moderne -- have been able to deny consular access to Lalita and also keep her away from Indian journalists in Paris.

Legal experts say based on Dr Dax's statements, the Indian government could initiate legal proceedings challenging the case and the handling of the incident by the French police. But it remains to be seen if the Indian government will get entangled in litigation or look for a quiet burial of the controversy.

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