A three-month-old girl endured a delay of over three hours for a blood sample required for a DNA test at the Autonomous State Medical College (ASMC) hospital in Pilibhit, sparking concerns about her exposure to dehydration and infection. The DNA test was necessitated after the child's 13-year-old mother refused to identify the baby as her own before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
Background of the Case
Following the baby's parents surrendering her to a panel of CWC magistrates and expressing reluctance to accept her, the infant was placed under the care of the Specialised Adoption Agency (SAA), a statutory body under the Union ministry of women and child development, pursuant to a CWC order. The minor mother had given birth to the child in a hospital toilet on February 22. Subsequently, the girl's 19-year-old father was arrested on April 20 under BNS section 65(1) and sections 3 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
DNA Sampling Process
Acting on a judicial order issued on May 26 by the court of the additional district and sessions judge (POCSO), SAA superintendent Shahina Bi arrived at the hospital on May 27 along with Pilibhit Kotwali SHO Satyendra Kumar for the infant's DNA sampling. The central pathology staff collected the blood sample but failed to preserve it according to the prescribed protocol for DNA testing. Police personnel and SAA staff then spent nearly two hours searching for a qualified staff member to preserve the sample, which was intended to be sent to a government forensic laboratory in Lucknow.
When approached, the medical officer on emergency duty concluded that the sample had been spoiled due to the delay in preservation and the prevailing heat. Consequently, a second blood sample was collected from the infant and preserved.
Official Responses
When contacted by TOI, head of the pathology department Dr. Vibhuti stated that officiating chief medical superintendent Dr. RS Gangwar had instructed her only to ensure timely collection of the blood sample. Asked about sampling by general pathology staff in the absence of a qualified pathologist, she said she was unaware of it. She added that central pathology staff had never received training in preserving DNA samples.
CWC member magistrate Parvez Hanif expressed concern that the delay could have exposed the infant to dehydration and infection due to her weak immunity and prolonged stay in a hospital environment. He also questioned the decision to refer the case to the central pathology unit instead of a medical officer trained in preserving DNA samples.
Next Steps
Hanif stated that the CWC would seek an explanation from ASMC principal Dr. Sangeeta Aneja over the delay that led to a second blood sample being taken from the infant. A notice would be issued on June 1, he added.
