The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday reportedly collected samples for DNA test in Ningthoujam Babysana death case at Forensic Medicine Department, RIMS for the second time, following the direction of the Manipur High Court for further investigation into the case.
The CBI team led by DSP Rajesh collected the samples for seven persons again at the Forensic Medicine Department, RIMS - the samples of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School Canchipur Pheiroijam Landhoni, her daughter Karam ongbi Romita, son Pheiroijam Robinson, staff Nongmaithem Jinnty, Kamei Ileen, and late Babysana’s father Ningthoujam Tomchou and Babysana’s mother Kh Premica samples were recollected at 11 am.
It is pertinent to note that the CBI reportedly collected samples for DNA on April 27 of this year following the direction of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West.
On July 19, the HC directed senior PCCG, appearing for the CBI, to ascertain whether the blood group determination of the deceased girl and the accused had been undertaken pursuant to the CJM’s directions.
The CFSL report received from Assam was placed on record before the HC on August 1, but the high court found it non-responsive to the directions of CJM, Imphal West.
“Perusal of the said report reflects that the bottle of blood which was mentioned at serial number 3 of the seizure memo dated 18.07.2019 was not even sent to the laboratory for examination. Pertinent to note, the seizure memo reflects that apart from this bottle of blood, another bottle of blood of the deceased girl was also collected, with preservatives added, which find mention at serial number 4,” the HC stated.
It is inexplicable indeed as to why, despite the clear directions of CJM, Imphal West, the CBI did not forward the bottle of blood to the CFSL, Assam, asked the HC and opined that it appears that only dried blood samples of the deceased girl were sent.
The report also did not mention the blood groups of either the biological parents of the deceased girl nor the accused, the HC noted.
“Being the premier investigation agency in the country, a little more care and application of mind is expected of the CBI but unfortunately, the CBI did not live up to that expectation”, the HC stated and opined that the CBI did not even read directions of CJM, Imphal West before forwarding the samples to the CFSL, Assam for examination.
The HC, on August 17, gave a last opportunity to the CBI to prove itself by doing the needful in terms of directions of CJM, Imphal West.
The CBI had reopened the case for further investigation after the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Imphal West rejected the closure report submitted by the investigation agency.
While rejecting the closure report, the court directed the investigating officer of the case to find out the blood group of the deceased, N Babysana Chanu and to complete her DNA profile by using samples obtained from her. It directed to find out the matching blood group and the DNA profile, if any, either of the deceased or the accused persons.
The court had also directed the CBI to find out the blood group of her biological father and mother in addition to the blood group of all the accused persons and complete their DNA profiles for reinvestigation.
Thirteen-year-old Babysana of Thangmeiband Imphal West, a hosteller of Standard Robarth School, Canchipur Imphal, was found hanging inside the hostel on July 18, 2019. Her death sparked controversy with family suspecting foul play in the girl’s death though post mortem suggests the cause of death due to asphyxia by hanging.
