Assam Chief Minister Backs Woman Seeking Paternity Probe Involving Ex-Minister

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has thrown his support behind a woman demanding a fresh Central Bureau of Investigation probe and DNA test in a long-standing paternity dispute involving former Uttarakhand Minister Harak Singh Rawat.

The Accusation and Demands

Ms. Indira Dewri, also known as Jenny, hails from Sadiya in Assam's Tinsukia district and alleges that Mr. Rawat raped and impregnated her in 2003. She is currently staying in Dehradun and has appealed to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami for justice, stating she will remain there until her demands are met. Ms. Dewri has renewed her call for a DNA test to establish the paternity of her 23-year-old son, while also demanding a narco-analysis and police protection after receiving threats. She criticized the previous CBI investigation, claiming the agency failed to record her statement properly or collect her son's samples for DNA testing, though reports indicate an earlier DNA test did not find a match between Mr. Rawat and her son.

Defense and Political Reactions

Mr. Rawat has denied all allegations, including the charge of rape, and has challenged those involved to undergo court-supervised DNA tests. He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of reviving the controversy to target both him and the Congress party ahead of the Uttarakhand State Assembly elections scheduled for 2027. Meanwhile, Mr. Sarma condemned the treatment Ms. Dewri received, stating on social media that he met her and stands firmly with her in the fight for justice. The Uttarakhand Assembly previously examined the matter before asking the CBI to start a fresh investigation.

Context

Paternity disputes involving high-profile political figures often draw intense public and media scrutiny as legal and investigative agencies are called in to verify claims. Such cases typically involve complex interactions between state police forces, central investigative agencies like the CBI, and judicial oversight through DNA testing and court-ordered examinations.