Falak back on ventilator, DNA test conducted

Battered two-year-old Falak, who is back on the ventilator after showing no signs of improvement, has undergone a DNA test to determine the identity of her parents.

Battered two-year-old Falak, who is back on the ventilator after showing no signs of improvement, has undergone a DNA test to determine the identity of her parents.

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The AIIMS forensic department conducted the test and doctors said that with her DNA fingerprint, the right claimant of the baby will be identified.

Forensic experts with the hospital have also confirmed that the bite marks found on her body are of a human, Dr Deepak Agarwal, neurosurgeon with the hospital, said.

Falak was brought to the AIIMS Trauma Centre on January 18 with severe head injury, both her arms broken, bite marks all over her body and her cheeks branded with hot iron.

Agarwal said, "She is not breathing properly. That is why she is on the ventilator. Forensic experts have conducted the DNA test. They have almost confirmed that the bite marks on her body are that of human.

"This DNA test was done so that her paternity can be established."

The child was taken off the ventilators on February 3 after some improvement in her condition. Doctors today said that the infection in her blood and improper fluid movement are not allowing them to put her off the ventilator any more.

"We are conducting culture reports on everyday basis to see the level of infection present in her body. Once the reports come negative, we are assured that she is responding positively to the treatment," Agarwal said.

He said Falak will have to live with tracheotomy conducted on her for some time even after she has fully recovered.