Calling for the immediate ouster of Mr Tripathi from the Mayawati ministry, the Opposition today demanded a high-level inquiry into the murder, alleging that efforts were on to tamper with the evidence and intimidate witnesses.

The DNA sample will be sent to Hyderabad for testing to ascertain the paternity of the foetus, police sources said.

Stating that the charges levelled against him were the result of political rivalry, Mr Tripathi alleged that the family members of Madhumita were “pressurised” by the Samajwadi Party into making a statement against his family members.

“I or any member of my family have nothing to do with the killing of Madhumita,” he said.

Supporting the demand for a CBI probe into the murder, the Minister of State for Stamps told reporters here that he was prepared to face any inquiry into the matter.

To a question whether he would submit himself to a DNA test, Mr Tripathi evaded a direct reply and merely said he would fully cooperate with the law.

Madhumita was shot dead at her Paper Mill Colony residence here on Friday by two assailants.

The sister of the deceased, Nidhi Shukla, had alleged that the poetess was having a relationship with Mr Tripathi.