DNA test on cow favours theft accused

DNA test on cow favours theft accused

Thiruvananthapuram : The result of a DNA test conducted on a cow in Kerala for resolving a dispute between two women over its ownership has gone against the litigant. The test conducted at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) at Thiruvananthapuram proved false the allegation of Geetha from Punalur in Kollam district that the cow in the possession of her neighbour T S Sashilekha was hers.

Based on the DNA test report, the Punalur Judicial First Class Magistrate has dismissed the petition and permitted Shashilekha to continue the possession of the animal. The court had ordered the test, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the state, after the Pathanapuram police failed to settle the complaint lodged by Geetha. She had alleged that Sashilekhahad stolen the cow whenshe let it in the forest area for grazing.

When the accused stoutly denied the allegation, Geetha insisted on a scientific test on the cow to find whether it matches with the mother cow, which is said to be in her possession. The police then collected the blood samples of the cow and its mother cow at a veterinary hospital and sent to the RGCB for scientific examination.

The report of the test sent to the police said that the two cows were not in the same breed. Geetha has termed the DNA test finding wrong. She said that she still believed that her neighbour had stolen the cow. However, Geetha, who has spent about Rs.80, 000 on the legal battle, has not indicated continuation of the legal battle.