The DNA test of Niharika Rajput’s son has been matched with Shivaraj Shrestha. The test conducted at the National Forensic Science Laboratory, Khumaltar has shown that the DNA of rape accused Shrestha and Niharika Rajput’s son is a match.

Sonal Kumari Singh (alias Niharika Rajput) has been demanding action against her alleged rapist Shiva Raj Shrestha.

Niharika, an unmarried teen mom, was allegedly drugged and raped when she was 17-year-old by Shrestha, who was her friend’s brother.

According to Rajput, Shrestha had taken inappropriate pictures and videos of her which he used to threaten her.

Meanwhile, Rajput, who had reached Baluwatar to hold a press conference, was detained by the police today afternoon.

Dinesh Raj Mainali, SP of District Police Range, Kathmandu, confirmed she was taken into custody after she tried to hold a press conference at Gate No. 3 of the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar but was released shortly after.

19-year-old Rajput has faced several obstacles during the process of receiving justice for herself and her son. The police arrested her while she was on a hunger strike demanding justice.

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has taken interest in Rajput’s case after Niharika attempted self-immolation in front of the President’s Office Shital Niwas.

She was admitted to Teaching Hospital where she was still staging fast-unto-death strike. Niharika Rajput broke her fast-unto-death following a three-point agreement with the government on August 22.

Rajput had demanded a DNA test in the High Court, Janakpur stating she gave birth to a son ‘after becoming pregnant because of the rape’.

Niharika was studying in grade 11 in Mahottari when she had gone to her friend’s home to complete homework. While she was doing her homework, the accused Shrestha brought food to eat and fainted after eating. After waking up she found out that she was raped.

According to Rajput, Shiva Raj Shrestha of Janakpur committed the crime and even captured a video of her. She complained to her family about the incident but she did not get any support from them.

“The family considered their prestige more important than the incident that held with me,” said Niharika Rajput.

The incident came into limelight in 2019 after Rajput decided to proceed with legal action.