05.11.2015, NEW DELHI: The family of a deaf and mute Indian woman who returned home after being stranded in Pakistan for years has not been located, despite nationwide media coverage of her homecoming last month and a round of DNA tests.
"We would know by now had the DNA tests matched," said Monika Punjabi, head of a deaf-mute institute in the central Indian city of Indore which is now housing the woman.
"In all likelihood they haven't."
Geeta, thought to be 23, strayed across one of the world's most militarised borders about 12 years ago into Pakistan, where she was taken in – and named – by the Edhi Foundation charity.
Her case drew media attention as parallels were drawn with Bollywood blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which tells the story of a Pakistani girl unable to speak, trapped in India.
Geeta arrived in New Delhi from Karachi on Oct 26 after she identified her family in photos, to much fanfare.
"Geeta – Welcome home our daughter," Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Twitter.
But presented with the family from the pictures, Geeta denied they were her relatives.
"Even the family did not insist, so it seems the case is weak," Punjabi said.
Media reports said a DNA report was submitted to the Foreign Ministry last week but no statement has been made and the ministry declined to comment Tuesday.
Senior officials said it would only make a statement once a positive DNA match was found, and that other families with credible claims might be tested also.
Swaraj said in a tweet on Monday that Geeta was "happy in Indore."
She earlier said Geeta will stay at the Indore institution till her "real family" was found. – dpa
"We would know by now had the DNA tests matched," said Monika Punjabi, head of a deaf-mute institute in the central Indian city of Indore which is now housing the woman.
"In all likelihood they haven't."
Geeta, thought to be 23, strayed across one of the world's most militarised borders about 12 years ago into Pakistan, where she was taken in – and named – by the Edhi Foundation charity.
Her case drew media attention as parallels were drawn with Bollywood blockbuster Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which tells the story of a Pakistani girl unable to speak, trapped in India.
Geeta arrived in New Delhi from Karachi on Oct 26 after she identified her family in photos, to much fanfare.
"Geeta – Welcome home our daughter," Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Twitter.
But presented with the family from the pictures, Geeta denied they were her relatives.
"Even the family did not insist, so it seems the case is weak," Punjabi said.
Media reports said a DNA report was submitted to the Foreign Ministry last week but no statement has been made and the ministry declined to comment Tuesday.
Senior officials said it would only make a statement once a positive DNA match was found, and that other families with credible claims might be tested also.
Swaraj said in a tweet on Monday that Geeta was "happy in Indore."
She earlier said Geeta will stay at the Indore institution till her "real family" was found. – dpa
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