Refusing to appear before the Delhi high court, veteran Congress leader Narayan Dutt Tiwari on Wednesday moved an application stating that he cannot be forced to provide a sample of his blood for a DNA test in a paternity suit filed by a 31-year-old Delhi-based lawyer, Mr Rohit Shekhar, who claims to be his biological son.
Mr Tiwari, 85, moved an application through his lawyer before the joint registrar, Mr Deepak Garg, stating no pressure could be applied on him to give a sample for the test. “Nobody can be pressurised (sic) to give evidence in this manner,” the lawyer said. Seeking exemption from personal appearance in court, the lawyer said the court should not compel Mr Tiwari to undergo the DNA test as he has crossed the age of 80 years.
The court should have considered this aspect before passing an order earlier to provide a blood sample for a DNA test, the lawyer said, adding that it was against the basic principles of natural justice.
Opposing Mr Tiwari’s plea, Rohit Shekhar’s lawyer argued that the veteran Congress leader is “trying to wriggle out of the judicial proceedings in an unfair manner”.
After hearing submissions by both parties, the joint registrar referred the matter to the regular court till July 7 to decide Mr Tiwari’s plea for exemption.