Supreme Court Orders DNA Test in Paternity Dispute Despite Prior Rape Acquittal

The Supreme Court has ruled that a DNA test can be ordered in a paternity case even when the alleged father was earlier acquitted in a rape trial under Section 376 IPC . The decision balances the father’s privacy with the son’s right to know his lineage and claim inheritance. Key Developments Bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh dismissed the appellant’s appeal. The trial court and the Chhattisgarh High Court had directed the appellant to undergo DNA profiling. The appellant argued that his acquittal in the criminal rape case and earlier maintenance proceedings barred a fresh paternity determination. The Supreme Court held that acquittal only shows the prosecution failed to prove the criminal charge, not that a biological link does not exist. The Court ordered the appellant to submit to a DNA test to resolve the dispute. Important Facts The dispute dates back to 1999 when the first respondent, born in September 1999, claimed to be the son of the appellant based on a relationship between the appellant and his mother. The appellant consistently denied paternity . After the respondent turned 18, he filed a civil suit seeking a declaration of his status as the appellant’s biological son and a share in the appellant’s property. The trial court ordered DNA testing, a decision upheld by the High Court, leading to the present appeal. UPSC Relevance This judgment illustrates several concepts important for the UPSC syllabus: Privacy versus the right to know one’s lineage. Use of scientific evidence ( Interpretation of criminal acquittal under Procedural aspects of civil suits and inheritance law ( inheritance rights ). Way Forward Courts are likely to continue ordering DNA tests where biological relationships affect legal rights, even if criminal proceedings have ended. Lawmakers may consider codifying guidelines for balancing privacy with the right to identity. For UPSC candidates, this case underscores the importance of understanding the intersection of criminal law, family law, and constitutional rights.