Jhabua explosion: Police collect DNA of blast victims

The Jhabua police on Thursday collected the DNA samples of three unclaimed bodies of blast victims lying in an mortuary to match it with those of the family members of the main accused in the explosion.

The Jhabua police on Thursday collected the DNA samples of three unclaimed bodies of blast victims lying in an mortuary to match it with those of the family members of the main accused in the explosion.

Samples were collected for DNA analysis to ascertain their identity as police are still searching for Rajendra Kaswa, the main accused in the Petlawad blast, said Jhabua additional superintendent of police Seema Alwa.

“We have evidence that Kaswa is alive but for confirmation we are closely examining the unidentified bodies,” she said.

“We had detained the wife and kids of the main accused but released them because they were not involved in any illegal activities of Kaswa and his brothers.”

Police are taking the extra precaution after Kaswa’s wife, Sheetal during questioning told them that her husband had gone to open the shop after the first blast and did not return after blast.

Police are however, suspicious about the family’s claims. “It will suit the family to declare him dead. We believe that had Kaswa really been dead, the family members wouldn’t have run away from Petlawad,” a senior police official said.

While many witnesses claim that Kaswa was blown to pieces in the explosions and his charred remains might be trapped under the debris while there are a few who claim he escaped from the blast site.

Meanwhile, police have arrested Kaswa’s brothers, Narendra and Phoolchandra and produced them before the Jhabua court, which has sent them to police remand till September 21.