Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav sparked a major row with his remarks demanding a DNA test of the accused in the Ayodhya gangrape case in which the 12-year-old victim became pregnant. Calling for a DNA test, Akhilesh said that concerned officials should not be spared if the accused are proven innocent.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too stepped up its attack after BSP chief Mayawati asked how many accused were subjected to DNA tests under the SP rule in such cases. The saffron party alleged that Yadav has given a "clean chit" to accused Moid Khan, who is linked to the Samajwadi Party.

In a statement issued from the SP headquarters on Saturday, Yadav said, "Without a DNA test in the Bhadarsa case of Ayodhya, the BJP's allegation will be considered biased."

The BJP hit back, alleging that the SP is defending a "paedophile" and showing its "boys will be boys mindset" while leaders of the INDIA bloc are "silent".

"Because the girl belongs to the Nishad community and the brute belongs to the vote bank, evidence is being sought from her even though she is pregnant.

"What do they want to prove with the DNA test? Who all were involved in the gangrape, will this be decided on the basis of the DNA test? Is the rapist who made the girl pregnant the only one guilty of rape?" BJP's IT department head Amit Malviya said on X.

Uttar Pradesh Minister and Nishad party president Sanjay Nisha, who broke down in tears after meeting the victim and her family lashed out at the SP leader and accused them of shielding the accused, and said he would protest at the SP office against the atrocity.

In his statement, Yadav alleged that the BJP was rattled after its defeat in Lok Sabha elections, including in Ayodhya.

"Justice should be done by getting the DNA test done of all accused instead of doing politics by just making allegations," he said, adding "levelling allegations to defame the Samajwadi Party without investigating the incident is motivated by political malice."

Yadav said, "Whoever is guilty should be given due punishment according to the law, but if the allegations are proved to be false after the DNA test, then the government officials involved should also not be spared. Action should be taken against them."

Akhilesh Yadav also demanded that the government immediately provide assistance of Rs 20 lakh to the victim's family. 

On July 30, Ayodhya police arrested Moid Khan, who runs a bakery in Bhadarsa Nagar in the Purakalandar police station area of the district, and his employee Raju Khan in the case of gang rape of a 12-year-old girl.

Police said that Moid and Raju Khan raped the minor two months ago and also recorded the act. The incident came to light when a recent medical examination revealed that the victim was pregnant.

BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, have alleged that Khan is a member of the Samajwadi Party and is part of the team of Faizabad MP Awadhesh Prasad.

"Akhilesh Yadav gives clean chit to rapist Moid Khan, SP Neta & demands DNA test! Is this not an insult to the 12-year-old Nishad girl," BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said on X.

(With input from agencies)