Court orders paternity test for ND Tiwari

The Delhi high court on Thursday directed former Andhra Pradesh governor and Congress veteran ND Tiwari (85) to undergo a DNA test in connection with a two-year-old paternity suit. Rohit Shekhar (31), a lawyer, has claimed he is Tiwari's son from an affair the leader had with his mother, Congress activist Ujjwala Sharma. Shekhar had moved court to get Tiwari to agree to a paternity test.

Tiwari has denied he ever had a physical relationship with Ujjwala.

Rejecting Tiwari's contention that he can't be forced to do a DNA test, the court said:

"Law has to lean in favour of an innocent child, save him from the stigma of being a bastard."

The court cited several Supreme Court rulings to back its ruling.

It also took into consideration the fact that Shekhar's foster father BP Sharma had voluntarily undergone a DNA test, which had revealed they weren't related by blood.

Calling the verdict a "victory", Shekhar said "everything will become clear after Tiwari undergoes DNA test".

He added: "I'm not after his property or want any compensation. I only want to be recognized by him as his son."

This is a second setback for Tiwari, who quit as governor last year amid allegations of sexual misconduct and a sex video that was the result of a sting operation.

He was chief minister of undivided Uttar Pradesh for three terms and once of Uttarakhand.

He had earlier moved Supreme Court for relief in the paternity case, but was denied.

The high court directed Tiwari, Shekhar and Ujjwala to appear before the joint registrar on February 8 to get details of the test