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Cow to undergo DNA test in south India

In a queer turn of events, a cow in the southern Indian state of Kerala is being subjected to a DNA test.

A local court in Quilon ordered the test on the pet animal to settle a dispute over its ownership between two women. The police have collected the blood samples of the cow and its mother cow and sent to Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum for scientific examination.

The case emanated from a complaint filed by Geetha, a native of Kumarakom Kodi, with the Pathanapuram police two months ago that her neighbour Shashi Lekha had stolen her cow. She had missed her cow after she let her graze in the forest area. She later claimed to have traced it at Shashi Lekha’s stable.

However, Shashi Lekha refused to part with the cow claiming it to be hers. Geetha moved the First Class Judicial Magistrate’s Court at Punalur after the police failed to resolve the dispute. For want of proper evidence in the case, the court ordered that DNA test be conducted on the cow to find whether it matches with the mother cow, which is said to be in the possession of Geetha.

Based on the court order, the cow was brought to a veterinary hospital at Punalur and collected the blood samples.