Court warns Tiwari for refusing to give blood sample

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The Delhi High Court on Thursday sternly warned Congress leader N.D. Tiwari of 'dire consequences' for refusing to provide his blood sample for DNA profiling to decide a paternity suit filed by Rohit Shekhar, who claims to be his biological son.

The court postponed the hearing for Aug 2.

Hearing the arguments by Tiwari's counsel Bahar-e-Barqui, Justice Gita Mittal said: "If you (Tiwari) won't pass through the tests directed by court in the paternity suit, then the court may pass an order that plaintiff is his (Tiwari's) son."

The case relates to a 31-year-old Shekhar, who claims to be the 87-year-old politician's biological son. Tiwari refused to provide his blood sample in an affidavit filed last week.

The court said adopting such delaying tactics will have dire consequences.

The court also pulled up Tiwari's counsel asking why he had not filed an admissional or a denial affidavit on behalf of Tiwari, accepting or rejecting his presence in the photographs submitted by Shekhar.

"Every document has to be submitted. Otherwise, I will direct Tiwari to appear in person for recording his statement regarding denial and admission in each and every photograph presented," said Justice Mittal.

The court asked Barqui if his client was willing to give anything other than blood - his skin, hair, nails or his saliva for the DNA tests.

Tiwari's counsel refused, saying his client had already stated he cannot be compelled to give the sample.

The court replied, "What actually 'compulsion' means has already been decided earlier; there is no point of arguing now."

"In order to preserve, protect and defend my personal dignity attained by my long cherished service to the nation as well as society, I being a senior citizen too, I am not willing to give my blood sample for DNA testing. Hence, I may not be compelled to do so," Tiwari said in the affidavit.

Tiwari's five-decade political career virtually ended in 2009 after a news channel showed explicit clippings of an elderly man purported to be him with three young women in bed when he was the governor of Andhra Pradesh. A few days later, Tiwari resigned on health grounds.