A routine check-up for a stem cell donor match led to a criminal investigation after a bone marrow mismatch. RDNE Stock project/pexels
India

Father-Son Bone Marrow Mismatch Raises Paternity Questions, Leads to 2020 Rape Case in Gujarat’s Morbi

A well-kept secret uncovered with a father-son bone marrow mismatch - The Victim needed money for her husband’s cancer treatment, which led to an alleged six years of sexual assault

Author : MBT Desk

A routine check-up for a stem cell donor match for the treatment of a cancer patient led to a criminal investigation after a bone marrow mismatch raised questions about the child’s biological parentage. The woman subsequently approached police with an allegation of rape dating back to 2020, resulted in sexual assault charges against a BJP corporator's husband. 

Gujarat Morbi Rape Case: What Led to the 2020 Allegation?

According to police reports, the accused lent one lakh rupees to the victim for her to pay for her husband’s cancer treatment. When she could not repay him, the accused exploited her economic weakness and repeatedly raped her since 2020. 

Speaking to reporters in Morbi, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) J. M. Aal said, “On September 9, a woman filed a police complaint accusing the man of raping her in 2020. The complainant and accused were acquainted through a boutique and the accused had given ₹1 lakh to the woman for the treatment of her husband. The woman said in her complaint that the man used to ask her to return the money. One day he called her to his house and allegedly raped her.” 

Also Read : Former Wisconsin OB-GYN Accused of Using Own Sperm in Fertility Treatments

How Did the Father-Son Bone Marrow Mismatch Raise Questions About Biological Parentage? 

Blood stem cells are used to treat around 75 diseases including lymphoma, sickle cell anemia and leukemia. For a patient requiring a stem cell transplant, doctors assess potential donors for compatibility using HLA markers.

Stem Cell Donor Matching relies on Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLAs) — proteins or markers encoded by specific genes —  found in almost every cell of the body. They are inherited from biological parents to children, half from the mother and the rest from the father. 

Also Read : Twins Become China's Youngest Stem Cell Donors to Save Their Mother

Stem Cell Donor Matching relies on Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLAs) — proteins or markers encoded by specific genes — found in almost every cell of the body.

Thus, a biological son is typically a viable bone marrow (stem cell) donor because he is genetically haploidentical to the father. However, donor suitability depends on the transplant setting and other factors, and HLA matching alone does not establish biological parentage. 

In HLA matching, physicians assess specific HLA markers to determine donor compatibility. A biological parent and child are generally considered haploidentical because they share at least one HLA haplotype.

Also Read: Health Ministry Orders State Bodies to Regulate Unproven Stem Cell Therapies; Warns Clinical Professionals

Gujarat Morbi Rape Case: What Happens After the FIR?  

An FIR was registered on 9th September 2026, at Morbi’s A-division police station. The Deputy Superintendent of Police J.M. Aal said the police are collecting scientific and other critical evidence based on the woman’s complaint, adding further legal action will be taken once the investigation progresses.  

“We are now planning to carry out DNA tests. We will approach the court seeking permission for the same,” DySP Aal said. 

A search to trace the accused has been initiated,  police added. 

(Rh/APC/MSM)

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