Rape accused on fast in jail after he passes DNA test

Mumbai: A Navi Mumbai-based schoolteacher, lodged in Thane Central jail and accused of raping and impregnating a 13-year-old girl, is on fast to secure bail. Officials said the health of accused Harishankar Shukla, whose DNA test results in the case came out as negative, has been deteriorating since he started the hunger strike a week ago.

Shukla’s wife Anjali Shukla said, “We are not allowed to meet him inside the jail. I came to know from officials and lawyer that his condition is really getting worse but still we will continue with the strike to get justice for him, and my family. He has been suffering unnecessarily for a crime he has not done. His DNA test report came out negative six months ago and we tried hard to get bail but we are still not getting it.” Source said Shukla’s health started deteriorating on Thursday night.

Thane jail superintendent D. Waychad said, “It is illegal to do hunger strike. We are doing our best to change his mind, on regular basis. He has been shifted to a special jail room. Regular check-ups by a doctor are been done and he was given glucose yesterday because his condition was bad.”

A sessions court judge visited Thane jail on Friday to meet Shukla and assured him that his case would be taken up soon. However, Shukla did not end his strike.

The DNA report of the teacher, who was arrested last December by the Nerul police for his alleged rape of a 13-year-old student of a Navi Mumbai school, has come out negative. The test was carried out on Shukla to match his genetic similarity with the remains of the foetus that was preserved from the time the girl underwent an abortion after the rape.