Be Your Own Lawyer

1

Abortion Without Consent is A Ground For

Divorce

¹

Facts in Nutshell: The matrimonial alliance was entered into between Suman Kapur and Sudhir Kapur the parties as per Hindu rites and rituals in Delhi on March 04, 1984. The marriage was inter-caste marriage. Though initially parents of both the parties were opposed to the marriage, subsequently, they consented. The parties have no issue from the said wedlock. Ms Suman Kapur conceived for the first time in 1984, within a period of about one month of the marriage, but on account of being exposed to harmful radiations as a part of lab work of her Ph.D. thesis, she decided to terminate the pregnancy. It was also mentioned by her that termination of pregnancy was done with the knowledge and consent of the husband.

Again, in 1985, she conceived. But even that pregnancy was required to be terminated on the ground of an acute kidney infection for which she had to undergo an IVP, which entailed six abdominal X-rays and radiometric urinary reflect test with radioactive drinking dye. She claimed that even the second pregnancy was terminated with the knowledge and consent of husband. Third time she became pregnant in 1989, but she suffered natural abortion on account of having a congenitally small uterus and thus prone to recurrent miscarriages.

The husband submission before the court, on the other hand was that since solemnization of marriage between the parties, the attitude, conduct and behaviour of the wife towards him and as well as his family members was indignant and rude. He also alleged that first pregnancy was terminated in 1984 by his wife without consent and even without knowledge of him. Same thing was repeated at the time of termination of second pregnancy in 1985. He was kept in complete dark about the so-called miscarriage by the wife in 1989. The husband was thus very much aggrieved since he was denied the joy of feeling of fatherhood and his parents were also deprived of grand-parenthood of a new arrival.

Action by Respondent (Husband): The respondent-husband, herefore, filed HMA No. 322/2001/96 in the Court of Additional District Judge, Delhi under Section 13(1)(ia) and (ib)² of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Act’) for getting divorce from the appellant-wife. Two grounds were taken by the respondent-husband in the said petition, i.e. (i) cruelty and (ii) desertion.

Decision by Trail Court: The trial Court after hearing the parties held that the husband was not entitled to a decree of divorce on the ground that the wife had deserted the husband for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition. The Court, however, held that it was fully established by the husband that there was cruelty on the part of the wife. The wife without the knowledge and consent of the husband got her pregnancy terminated twice - firstly in 1984 and secondly in 1985. The husband was also not informed about natural miscarriage in 1989.

Decision by High Court: The wife preferred an appeal in the High Court of Delhi. The High Court again appreciated the evidence on record and confirmed the decree of divorce passed by the trial Court. The High Court, however, held that it was not necessary for the Court to consider mental cruelty so far as termination of pregnancy was concerned, since in the opinion of the High Court, even otherwise from the letters and entries in diary, it was proved that there was mental cruelty on the part of the wife. Accordingly, the decree of divorce passed by the trial Court was confirmed by the High Court.

Decision by Supreme Court: Confirming the decree of divorce on the ground of mental cruelty³ as held by both the courts, i.e. the trial Court as well as by the High Court, no relief can be granted so far as the reversal of decree of the courts below is concerned. At the same time, however, in Supreme Court Judges opinion, the respondent-husband should not have re-married before the expiry of period stipulated for filling Special Leave to Appeal in this Court by the wife. Therefore to meet the ends of justice the respondent -husband to pay an amount of Rs Five lakhs to the appellant wife.

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¹ Appellants: Suman Kapur Vs. Respondent: Sudhir Kapur AIR2009SC589, 2009(1) ALD33(SC) Hon’ble Judges: C. K. Thakker and D. K. Jain, JJ.

² Section13 of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 Divorce.-

(1) Any marriage solemnized, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, may, on a petition presented by either the husband or the wife, be dissolved by a decree of divorce on the ground that the other party-

(i) is living in adultery; or

(ii) has ceased to be a Hindu by conversion to another religion; or

(iii) has been incurably of unsound mind for a continuous period of not less than three years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition; or

(iv) has, for a period of not less than three years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition, been suffering from a virulent and incurable form of leprosy; or

(v) had, for a period of not less than three years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition, been suffering from venereal disease in a communicable form; or

(vi) has renounced the world by entering any religious order; or

(vii) has not been heard of as being alive for a period of seven years or more by those persons who would naturally have heard of it, had that party been alive; or

(viii) has not resumed cohabitation for a space of two years or upwards after the passing of a decree for judicial separation against that party; or

(ix) has failed to comply with a decree for restitution of conjugal rights for a period of two years or upwards after the passing of the decree.

(2) A wife may also present a petition for the dissolution of her marriage by a decree of divorce on the ground,-

(i) in the case of any marriage solemnized before the commencement of this Act, that the husband had married again before such commencement or that any other wife of the husband married before such commencement was alive at the time of the solemnization of the marriage of the petitioner:

Provided that in either case the other wife is alive at the time of the presentation of the petition; or

(ii) that the husband has, since the solemnization of the marriage, been guilty of rape, sodomy or bestiality.

³ In V. Bhagat v. MANU/SC/0155/1994 : D. Bhagat (Mrs.) AIR1994SC710, the Court observed;

Mental Cruelty in Section 13(1)(ia) can broadly be defined as that conduct which inflicts upon the other party such mental pain and suffering as would make it not possible for that party to live with the other. In other words, mental cruelty must be of such a nature that the parties cannot reasonably be expected to live together. The situation must be such that the wronged party cannot reasonably be asked to put up with such unintentional. If it is physical, it is a question of fact and degree. If it is mental, the enquiry must begin as to the nature of the cruel treatment and then as to the impact of such treatment on the mind of the spouse.

2

Benefit of Maintenance Cannot be Denied to

Minor

¹

Facts in Nutshell: This case was an appeal by petitioner against order dated 2nd March, 2009 passed by the Learned Metropolitan Magistrate granting of Rs. 2000 per month for the minor daughter of the petitioner who is living separate from petitioner with the mother. The sole Contention raised by the petitioner before High Court is that in view of Section 3(1)(b) of Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986² the right of the child to claim maintenance from father after two years of divorce of the mother does not survive.

Decision by High Court: The court held that Even a wife who has been divorced under Muslim Law is entitled to claim maintenance under Section 125 Cr.P.C.³ after Iddat period. The court makes it crystal clear that even a Muslim divorced woman would be entitled to claim maintenance from a Muslim husband till she has not married.

The court also held that benefit under Section 125 Cr.P.C. cannot be denied to a minor daughter. The petition was dismissed by court.

Reference by High Court to Supreme Court Judgment: Supreme Court in Shabana Bano v Imran Khan⁴ had observed that petition under Section 125 Cr.P.C would be maintainable (for the wife) before Family Courts so long as she does not remarry and the amount of maintenance to be awarded under Section 125 Cr.P.C. cannot be restricted for Iddat period only.

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¹ Appellants: Gulam Rashid Ali Vs. Respondent: Kaushar Parveen and Anr. 171(2010)DLT340 Hon’ble Judges: Shiv Narayan Dhingra, J.

² Section 3. Mahr or other properties of Muslim woman to be given to her at the time of divorce. - (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, a divorced woman shall be entitled to-

(b) where she herself maintains the children born to before or after the divorce, a reasonable and fair provision and maintenance to be made and paid by her former husband for a period of two years from the respective date of birth of such children;

³ Section 125 Cr.P.C., 1973: Order for Maintenance of wives, children and parents (1) If any person leaving sufficient means neglects or refuses to maintain-

(a) his wife, unable to maintain herself, or

(b) his legitimate or illegitimate minor child, whether married or not, unable to maintain itself, or

(c) his legitimate or illegitimate child (not being a married daughter) who has attained majority, where such child is, by reason of any physical or mental abnormality or injury unable to maintain itself, or

(d) his father or mother, unable to maintain himself or herself,

A Magistrate of’ the first class may, upon proof of such neglect or refusal, order such person to make a monthly allowance for the maintenance of his wife or such child, father or mother, at such monthly rate[***] as such magistrate thinks fit, and to pay the same to such person as the Magistrate may from time to time direct

Provided that the Magistrate may order the father of a minor female child referred to in clause (b) to make such allowance, until she attains her majority, if the Magistrate is satisfied that the husband of such minor female child, if married, is not possessed of’ sufficient means.

⁴ Crl. Appeal No. 2309/2009 decided on 4th December, 2009

3

Infertility is Not a Ground for Divorce

¹

Facts in Nutshell: In this matter wife filed an appeal challenging the judgment and decree passed by the Family Court, Pune. Wife challenged: the judgment and decree of nullity under Section 12² of the Hindu Marriage Act on the ground of impotency under Section 12(1)(a), and also the judgment and decree of divorce on the ground of cruelty and desertion under Section 13(1)(ia)(ib)³ of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

One petition was filed by husband for nullity and alternatively for divorce. One petition was filed by wife for restitution of conjugal rights. Both petitions were jointly heard and by the common judgment the marriage between the parties was annulled and also divorce was granted. Petition for restitution of conjugal rights was dismissed.

Court Observation on laws delays (Paragraph 3): It is rather a disturbing state of affair that there is laws delay. This Family Court Appeal has reached final hearing after about 18 years of the dissolution of marriage. The spouses then in the year 1992 were 42 years (husband) and 45 years (wife), when the petitions were filed. However, presently both the parties have become or about to become senior citizens.

Decision by Family Court: Family court held that inability to give birth to a child presupposes that the woman is impotent and as such a valid ground as contemplated by Section 12 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 for divorce.

Case cited by Learned Advocate: V. (Wife) vs. S. (Husband)⁴ in which Impotence is defined as physical incapacity of accomplishing the sexual act, while sterility means inability for procreation of children. Impotence in males is the persistent inability to develop or maintain a penile creation sufficient to conclude coitus to orgasm and ejaculation.

Impotence has been described in Halsbury’s Laws of England to be such a state of mental or physical condition which makes consummation of the marriage a practical impossibility.

Decision by High Court: Court held that Family court committed an error by treating impotency and infertility at par. Family Court committed an error by giving divorce on ground of impotency. High Court also set aside the judgment of family court where family court granted divorce and annulled the marriage between husband and wife on grounds of impotency . Petition by husband was dismissed with costs quantified at Rs 10,000 to be paid to the wife.

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¹ Appellants: Sou. Pramila Shankar Ghante, Age : 45 years, Occ. Service, R. No. 2, Behind Laxmi Departmental Stores, Alandi Road, Kalaz, Pune 15 Vs. Respondent: Shri Shankar Vishwanath Ghante, Age : 42 years, Occ. Service, R/o Plot No. 191, Phulewadi, The House of Shri Desai, Kolhapur 416 410 MANU/MH/1090/2012

Hon’ble Judges: A.M. Khanwilkar and A.R. Joshi, JJ.

² Section 12 of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: Voidable Marriages

(1) Any marriage solemnized, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, shall be voidable and may be annulled by a decree of nullity on any of the following grounds, namely:-

(a) that the respondent was impotent at the time of the marriage and continued to be so until the institution of the proceedings; or

(b) that the marriage is in contravention of the condition specified in clause (ii) of section 5; or

© that the consent of the petitioner, or where the consent of the guardian in marriage of the petitioner is required under section 5, the consent of such guardian was obtained by force or fraud; or

(d) that the respondent was at the time of the marriage pregnant by some person other than the petitioner. 0

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), no petition for annulling a marriage-

(a) on the ground specified in clause (c) of sub-section (1) shall be entertained if-

(i) the petition is presented more than one year after for force had ceased to operate or, as the case may be, the fraud had been discovered; or

(ii) the petitioner has, with his or her full consent, lived with the other party to the marriage as husband or wife after the force had ceased to operate or, as the case may be, the fraud had been discovered;

(b) on the ground specified in clause (d) of sub-section (1) shall be entertained unless the court is satisfied-

(i) that the petitioner was at the time of the marriage ignorant of the facts alleged;

(ii) that proceedings have been instituted in the case of a marriage solemnized before the commencement of this Act within one year of such commencement and in the case of marriages solemnized after such commencement within one year from the date of the marriage; and

(iii) that marital intercourse with the consent of the petitioner has not taken place since the discovery by the petitioner of the existence of the grounds for a decree.

³ Section 13 Hindu Marriage Act, 1955: Divorce

(1) Any marriage solemnized, whether before or after the commencement of this Act, may, on a petition presented by either the husband or the wife, be dissolved by a decree of divorce on the ground that the other party-

(i) 1[ has, after the solemnization of the marriage, had voluntary, sexual intercourse with any person other than his or her spouse; or

(ia) has, after the solemnization of the marriage, treated the petitioner with cruelty; or

(ib) has deserted the petitioner for a continuous period of not less than two years immediately preceding the presentation of the petition; or]

(ii) has ceased to be a Hindu by conversion to another religion;

⁴ 1994 MLJ 1513

4

Muslim Girl Can Marry At the Age of 15 without the Parental Consent

¹

Facts in Nutshell: The petitioner seeks a writ of habeas corpus² for the production of her daughter (Shumaila). It was alleged that Shumaila was a minor (aged 15) when she was kidnapped by Mehtab on 12.04.2011 along with Rs. 1,50,000. The petitioner’s husband reported the kidnapping to the Gokalpuri police and on 14.04.2011 got FIR registered. It was alleged that after the abduction of Shumaila, the petitioner received telephonic threats from Mehtab stating that if the petitioner took any legal action against him, he would kidnap her other daughter. The police did not take any action and hence the petitioner approached Court through writ petition. Petitioner relies on the birth certificate on record of Shumaila issued by the Delhi Government which shows that her date of birth was 10.06.1996. It was submitted by the petitioner that the age of her daughter at the time of kidnapping was 15 years.

Shumaila statement in Court: Shumaila told the Court on 18th April, 2012 that she did not wish to go back to her parents and that she wanted to continue to stay with her husband. According to available records, Shumaila’s age was 15 years, 10 months and 23 days.

Issue to be decided by the Court: Issue to be decided by this Court, in view of these developments is, whether Shumaila should be directed to return to her parental home. Court notes that according to Mohammedan Law a girl can marry without the consent of her parents once she attains the age of puberty and she has the right to reside with her husband even if she is below the age of 18.³

Case Refereed: In Vivek Kumar @ Sanju and Anjali @ Afsana vs. The State and another⁴ observed that: There is no law which prohibits a girl under 18 years from falling in love with someone else. Neither falling in love with somebody is an offence under IPC or any other penal law. Desiring to marry her love is also not an offence. A young girl, who is in love has two courses available to her one is that she should marry with the consent of her parents after obtaining the consent of her parents. If her parents do not agree to persuade them or to wait for attaining the age of majority and then exercise her right as a major to marry the person of her own choice.

If a girl around 17 years of age runs away from her parents house to save herself from the onslaught of her father or relatives and joins her lover or runs away with him, it is no offence either on the part of girl or on the part of boy with whom she ran away and married.

Decision by Court: It is clear that a Muslim girl who has attained puberty i.e. 15 years can marry and such a marriage would not be a void marriage⁵.

However, she has the option of treating the marriage as voidable⁶, at the time of her attaining the age of majority, i.e 18 years. Direction was give to Mehtab, Shumaila and either of her in-laws to be present once in six months, in order to ascertain Shumaila well being till she attains the age of majority before the Child Welfare Committee. Shumaila was allowed to live with Mehtab, in the matrimonial home. The writ petition was disposed.

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¹ Appellants: Mrs. Tahra Begum Vs. Respondent: State of Delhi & Ors. MANU/DE/2154/ 2012

Hon’ble Judges: Mr. Justice S. Ravindra Bhat and Mr. Justice S.P. Garg

² Habeas Corpus is a Latin term which literally means you should have the body.In India the power to issue a writ of Habeas Corpus is vested only in the Supreme Court and the High Court. The writ is a direction of the Court to a person who is detaining another, commanding him to bring the body of the person in his custody a specified time to a specified place for a specified purpose.The writ has only one purpose: to set at liberty a person who is confined without legal justification; to secure release from confinement of a person unlawful detained. The writ is issued not only against the State and its authorities but also to private individuals or organization, if necessary.

³ In this connection reference can be made to Artcle 251 of Mulla’s Principles of Mahomedan Law which says that every Mahomedan of sound mind, who has attained puberty, may enter into a contract of marriage. The explanation to the said Article says that puberty is presumed, In absence of evidence, on completion of the age of 15 years. Even in Tyabji’s Muslim Law under Artcle 27 is mentioned that a girl reaching the age of puberty can marry without the consent of her guardian. Artcle 268 of Mulla’s Principles of Mahomedan Law says that the marriage will be presumed, in the absence of direct proof, by mere fact of acknowledgment by the man of the woman as his wife. Article 90 of Tyabji’s Muslim Law also says that a marriage Is to be presumed on the acknowledgment of either party to the marriage. As such, it has to be held that under Mahomedan Law a girl, who has reached the age of puberty, i.e., in normal course at the age of 15 years, can marry without the consent of her guardian.

⁴ Crl. M.C. No. 3073-74 of 2006, decided on 23.02.2007

⁵ In law, void means of no legal effect. An action, document or transaction which is void is of no legal effect whatsoever: an absolute nullity - the law treats it as if it had never existed or happened.

⁶ Black’s Law Dictionary defines voidable as follows:

Voidable. That which may be avoided, or declared void; not absolutely void, or void in itself. It imports a valid act which may be avoided rather than an invalid act which may be ratified. Simply it means (Voidable) In law, a transaction or action which is voidable is valid, but may be annulled by one of the parties to the transaction.

5

Marriage with Minor under Hindu Law

¹

Facts in Nutshell:

A letter was addressed by Smt. Lajja Devi to the Hon’ble the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court. In the letter, it was alleged by Smt. Lajja Devi that her daughter named Ms.Meera, who was around 14 years of age (date of birth being 6.7.1995) was kidnapped by Promod, Vinod, Satish, Manoj S/o Shri Raj Mal. On the basis of the information, an FIR bearing No. 113/2008 under Section 363 IPC² had been registered. The letter was treated as a Writ Petition.

Statement of Girl (Meera who was Minor³):

The girl made a statement under Section 164 of Cr.P.C., 1973⁴ before the learned Metropolitan Magistrate, Rohini Courts Delhi that she had gone along with the accused Charan Singh of her own free will as her Uncle and Aunt were marrying her against her wishes.

Question of Law:

1) Whether a marriage contracted by a boy with a female of less than 18 years and a male of less than 21 year could be said to be valid marriage and the custody of the said girl be given to the husband (if he is not in custody)?

2) Whether a minor can be said to have reached the age of discretion and thereby walk away from the lawful guardianship of her parents and refuse to go in their custody?

Definition of Child under Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006

According to Section 2 (a) of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, a child means a person who, if a male, has not completed twenty-one years of age, and if female, has not completed eighteen years of age.

Marriage with a minor child would not be valid but voidable and would become valid if within two years from the date of attaining 18 years in the case of female and 21 years in the case of male if she or he elects to accept the marriage, the marriage shall become a full-fledged valid marriage. Until such an event of acceptance of the marriage or lapse of limitation period, the marriage shall continue to remain as a voidable marriage.⁵

Case Referred: In Amnider Kaur and Anr. v. State of Punjab and Ors.,⁶ decided by Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Single Judge of the said Court has taken a view that having regard to the provisions of Section 12 of the PCM Act, 2006⁷ marriage with a minor girl would be void.

Ill-effects of child marriage can be summarized as under (Para 41 of the Judgment)⁸ :

(i) Girls who get married at an early age are often more susceptible to the health risks associated with early sexual initiation and childbearing, including HIV and obstetric fistula.

(ii) Young girls who lack status, power and maturity are often subjected to domestic violence, sexual abuse and social isolation.

(iii) Early marriage almost always deprives girls of their education or meaningful work, which contributes to persistent poverty.

(iv) Child Marriage perpetuates an unrelenting cycle of gender inequality, sickness and poverty.

(v) Getting the girls married at an early age when they are not physically mature, leads to highest rates of maternal and child mortality.

Decision by High Court:

Marriage which has been solemnised by petitioner No. 2 with petitioner No. l, who is child and a minor, is unsustainable in the eyes of law and is thus, declared as void. Court also held where the allegation against the husband is of enticing away minor girl from the lawful keeping of guardian/ parents and a case has been registered under Sections 363⁹ / 366-A IPC¹⁰, no protection under Section 482 Cr.P.C., 1973¹¹ can be granted by Court because in that eventuality police protection has to be granted to a fugitive of law.

Since girl has not attained majority and is residing with her parents, arrangement would continue. When girl becomes major it would be for her to exercise her right under the PCM, Act 2006 (Section 3) if she so desires and future course of action would depend threon. Petition was disposed of.

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¹ Appellants: Court on its Own Motion (Lajja Devi) Vs. Respondent: State AND Appellants: Smt. Laxmi Devi and Another Vs. Respondent: State (GNCT of Delhi) & Ors. MANU/ DE/3556/2012

Hon’ble Judges: Hon’ble A.K. Sikri, Acting Chief Justice, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Hon’ble Mr. Justice V.K. Shali

² Section 363, IPC, 1860

Whoever kidnaps any person from [India] or from lawful guardianship, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.

³ According to Section 3 of The Majority Act, 1875 every person domiciled in India shall attain the age of majority on his completing the age of eighteen years and not before.

⁴ Section 164 of Cr.P.C, 1973: Recording of Confessions and Statements

Any Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate may, whether or not he has jurisdiction in the case, record any confession or statement made to him in the course of an investigation under this Chapter or under any other law for the time being in force, or at any time afterwards before the commencement of the inquiry or trial:

Provided that no confession shall be recorded by a police officer on whom any power of a Magistrate has been conferred under any law for the time being in force.

⁵ Section 3, The Prohibition Of Child Marriage Act, 2006

⁶ 2010 Crl.L.J. 1154

⁷ Section 12, The Prohibition Of Child Marriage Act, 2006

Marriage of a minor child to be void in certain circumstances.- Where a child, being a minor-

(a) is taken or enticed out of the keeping of the lawful guardian; or

(b) by force compelled, or by any deceitful means induced to go from any place; or

(c) is sold for the purpose of marriage; and made to go through a form of marriage or if the minor is married after which the minor is sold or trafficked or used for immoral purposes, such marriage shall be null and void.

⁸ Ill effects of the child marriage were taken note of in the case of Association for Social Justice & Research v.Union of India & others, [W.P. (Crl.) No. 535/2010]

6

DNA Test and Powers of the Court

¹

Facts in Nutshell:

The case relates to refusal by a party to the litigation to comply with the court direction made in accordance with law to furnish a blood sample for DNA testing which would enable authoritative adjudication on the real issue in the matter. The Plaintiff has filed the suit seeking declaration that the Plaintiff is the naturally born son of the Defendants and that the Defendant No. 1 is the father of the Plaintiff. It is asserted that, though he was born to Smt. Ujjwala Sharma, Defendant No. 1 whilst her marriage to Sh. B.P. Sharma subsisted, the Plaintiff was not born from their wedlock. Reliance in this behalf has been placed on the report of blood samples drawn from Shri B.P. Sharma and DNA profiling which have been compared with the DNA profiling of the Plaintiff’s blood sample which report reflects that Sh. B.P. Sharma cannot be his (the Plaintiff’s) biological father. The Plaintiff has categorically asserted that he was born from an extramarital relationship between the Defendants. In this regard, he places reliance on the proximity between the parties in the plaint and relies on photographs which according to the Plaintiff manifest that the Defendants as well as the Plaintiff shared an intimate relationship.

The Defendant No. 1 does not dispute that the Plaintiff is the biological son of the Defendant No. 2, but denies relationship or intimacy with her as well as the Plaintiff. During the pendency of the suit, the Plaintiff filed IA No. 4720/2008 on 11th April, 2008 seeking a direction to the Defendant No. 1 to submit to DNA testing.

Short Summary of Case:

It is the case of the Plaintiff and Defendant No. 2 that the Plaintiff was born outside of marriage. He was born from a relationship between the Defendant Nos. 1 and 2. The Defendant No. 2 has stated that though she was married to Sh. B.P. Sharma from which marriage they were blessed with one son Siddharth on 30th October, 1968; that the Defendant No. 2 and her ex-husband did not have marital relationship or co-habitation since 1970; that the Defendant No. 1 became close to the Defendant No. 2 from 1968 and they entered into an intimate relationship in 1977 which resulted in the birth of Rohit Shekhar, the present Plaintiff on 15th February, 1979.

Decision by High Court:

The parties or their counsel are directed to appear before the Joint Registrar on 8th February, 2011. The Joint Registrar shalll obtain particulars and details to facilitate the DNA testing of the first Defendant; the said Defendant is directed to furnish such sample on a date and time to be designated by the Joint Registrar, by taking or drawing appropriate samples after ascertaining the details from the concerned accredited agency i.e. Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (Constituent Laboratory of the Council of Scientific Industrial Research, Government of India, Habsiguda Uppal Road, Hyderabad -500 007, Andhra Pradesh, India. The said institution shall furnish the report to this Court within six weeks of receiving the samples.

Defendant challenged the order of the court by way of special leave petition² in Supreme Court of India.

The Defendant No. 1 put forth the following reasons for the application:

(i) no useful purpose would be served to subject Defendant No. 1 to the test

(ii) final relief cannot be granted to the Plaintiff because of Section 112of the Evidence Act³

(iii) no sample can be obtained from the Defendant No. 1 per force without his express consent or else it would violate fundamental rights of the Defendant No. 1 protected under Article 21 of the Constitution⁴.

(iv) for the above reasons, not to pressurise, coerce or force the Defendant No. 1 to provide blood and/or tissue sample for DNA testing

Question before the Court:

The application therefore raises the question as to whether a person can be physically compelled to give a blood sample for DNA profiling in compliance with a civil court order in a paternity action? If it were held that the same was permissible, how is the court to mould its order and what would be the modalities for drawing the involuntary sample?

Submission by Plaintiff Counsel:

The Plaintiff submits that the Court has power under Section 75(e)⁵ of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC) read with Order-XXVI, Rule-10 (A) to issue a direction for holding a scientific technical or expert investigation.

Another question before the court was if a third party (to a marriage, like the first Defendant here) may be compelled to undergo scientific tests of the nature of giving blood samples for the purpose of DNA testing. In the case of Goutam Kundu v. State of West Bengal and Anr⁶ court held that

1. A matrimonial court has the power to order a person to undergo medical test.

2. Passing of such an order by the court would not be in violation of the right to personal liberty under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.

3. However, the Court should exercise such a power if the applicant has a strong prima facie case and there is sufficient material before the Court. If despite the order of the court, the Respondent refuses to submit himself to medical examination, the court will be entitled to draw an adverse inference against him.

In Goutam Kundu v. State of West Bengal and Anr.⁷, it has been laid down that courts in India cannot order blood test as a matter of course and such prayers cannot be granted to have roving inquiry; there must be strong