The Supreme Court has clarified that DNA testing cannot be considered irrefutable evidence in determining paternity. After technology addressed numerous complex and technical issues in the judicial process, the court emphasised that the delivery of justice cannot be solely based on mechanical or mathematical formulas.
The Supreme Court’s interpretation states, “As paternity determination is a socio-legal issue, DNA evidence should be treated as just one form of proof, similar to other evidence.” The court further stated that DNA test reports should not be treated as the primary proof in paternity cases and that they cannot be accepted without considering other relevant circumstances.
The explanation also mentions that paternity determination is often linked to marital relationships, and in such cases, the court must not only examine technical aspects but also consider judicial and social perspectives.
This ruling came in the case of a 54-year-old individual, where the Supreme Court noted that paternity could not be determined solely on the basis of DNA testing without addressing the social and legal questions surrounding the issue. The case, which had been ongoing for over four decades, finally concluded with a ruling that the individual would inherit from his father, despite DNA testing not conclusively establishing biological paternity.
This case involved the paternity dispute of Pradeep Raj Pandey, the son of Prakash Raj Pandey, who had been in a long legal battle over his right to inherit. The issue began when Pradeep Raj filed a lawsuit claiming his share of inheritance, and the court ultimately ruled that he was entitled to inheritance, based on both the legal and social considerations surrounding his paternity.
While the DNA report failed to establish a biological relationship, the court emphasised the importance of considering social and family structures when determining paternity. The ruling established a new precedent in how such cases should be handled, highlighting that DNA testing alone is insufficient to address the complexities of social, familial, and legal relations in paternity cases.
