Delhi High Court asks Tiwari to give DNA samples to ascertain paternity
By ANITuesday, February 8, 2011
NEW DELHI - The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed former Andhra Pradesh Governor and veteran Congress leader N D Tiwari to provide DNA samples to ascertain the veracity of lawyer Rohit Shekhar, who is claiming to be his biological son.
The bench, which heard 31-year-old Shekhar’s plea, reserved the judgment on the paternity suit filed by him and also laid down that procedure for the collection of DNA samples on February 19 ought to be followed.
“Giving due respect to honourable division bench, which has reserved the judgment in the case. Both the sides agreed that the matter be listed once again for laying down the procedure for how the DNA samples to be collected,” Shekhar told reporters.
“The honourable Joint Registrar of the Delhi High Court has fixed February 19 as date and time as 11.30 a.m. for how to collect DNA samples of me and N D Tiwari, where to collect and how to collect it. My apprehension is that samples should be not be tampered with,” he added.
On Monday, the court refused to stay its earlier order asking Tiwari to undergo a DNA test.
Tiwari approached the Delhi High Court on January 24 and challenged the High Court’s single-bench order of December 23 last year asking the leader to undergo DNA test.
The court had on December 23 last year turned down the plea of 85-year-old Tiwari that he cannot be forced to undergo the DNA test, saying it is the right of a child to know his or her biological father.
The Delhi High Court had on November 12 last year dismissed veteran Tiwari’s plea challenging imposition of Rs 75,000 as cost on him for seeking deletion of certain paragraphs from a paternity suit filed against him by Shekhar.
The apex court had on May 10 last year dismissed Tiwari’s appeal challenging the verdict of the High Court to adjudicate the paternity suit.
The High Court had also rejected Tiwari’s plea for dismissal of the petition on the ground that it was filed 31 years after the petitioner was born in order to malign his character.
Tiwari had quit as Andhra Pradesh Governor following allegations of his involvement in a sex scandal inside Raj Bhavan. (ANI)
