New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to entertain a plea seeking a DNA test of the child of a minor, who was allegedly raped.
A bench of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud and A.S. Bopanna, in its order, said: “We are not inclined to entertain the Special Leave Petition under Article 136 of the Constitution. The Special Leave Petition is accordingly dismissed. Pending application, if any, stands disposed of.”
During the hearing, the bench noted that the identity of the child’s father is immaterial to the case. It added that in the offence under the Indian Penal Code’s Section 376, the identity of the father has no relevance.
Counsel representing the accused contended that his client moved the top court against the Allahabad High Court order dated June 25, 2021, which set aside the sessions court order, allowing the DNA test of the child. The accused, in the plea in the apex court, claimed that it is being alleged that he is the father of the child.
Declining to entertain the plea, the bench further added that it does not allow a child’s DNA test at the drop of the hat and pointed out that if the accused were not to be the father of the child, would it obviate rape?
The top court order came on a plea by the rape accused, who is facing trial in a juvenile court, which also declined to entertain his plea for DNA testing. The accused filed the plea through advocate Robin Khokhar.
It has been alleged that seven months ago from the registration of the case, the accused raped the minor girl in front of his family members. The mother of the victim lodged an FIR at police station Kotwali Dehat in Uttar Pradesh’s Sultanpur against the accused and his family members. During the trial, the accused was declared juvenile and trial is in progress before the juvenile justice board.
The high court had noted determining paternity of the child is irrelevant, as the matter is whether the accused raped the victim or not.
(IANS)
