Supreme Court Rules Privacy and Dignity Outweigh DNA Testing in Paternity Disputes

India's top court emphasizes the presumption of legitimacy under the law and the protection of fundamental rights in sensitive paternity cases.

The Supreme Court ruled that individuals cannot demand DNA tests to prove paternity without meeting strict legal thresholds, citing privacy and dignity concerns.
The court upheld the presumption of legitimacy for children born during a valid marriage under Section 112 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, unless non-access between spouses is proven.
Forcefully undergoing a DNA test was deemed an invasion of privacy that could harm social standing, mental health, and professional life.
The judgment highlighted the potential misuse of DNA testing against women, noting the societal stigma and mental distress it could cause in cases involving infidelity allegations.
The ruling resolved a decades-long Kerala case, rejecting a DNA test request by a man seeking maintenance from his alleged biological father, affirming the need to balance privacy with the pursuit of truth.