Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav sparked controversy by demanding a DNA test of accused Moid Khan in the Ayodhya gangrape case. BJP criticised Yadav, accusing him of defending a "paedophile." Nishad Party president Sanjay Nishad accused SP of shielding the accused. Yadav called for justice through DNA tests for all accused and government assistance for the victim's family. Mayawati questioned SP's DNA test demand. BJP leaders alleged Khan's SP affiliation. Ayodhya police arrested Khan and his employee for raping a 12-year-old girl.
