The court prioritizes child welfare and directs a new DNA test to resolve paternity doubts in a maintenance claim case.
In a significant ruling, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has ordered a fresh DNA test to resolve a paternity dispute in the case of "Gudala Lovalakshmi v. Marthi Ramanababu Bujji." The decision was rendered by Dr. Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa, J., on March 30, 2026, in Criminal Petition No. 10088 of 2022. The petitioners, Gudala Lovalakshmi and her daughter, had sought to quash a previous order that rejected their request for a DNA test to determine the biological father of the daughter, Petitioner No. 2.
The case revolves around a maintenance claim filed by the petitioners, asserting that Respondent No. 1, Marthi Ramanababu Bujji, is the father of Petitioner No. 2. The respondent had denied both the marital relationship with Petitioner No. 1 and the paternity of Petitioner No. 2. An earlier DNA report, obtained during criminal proceedings, excluded Respondent No. 1 as the biological father, prompting the current legal challenge.
The petitioners argued that the earlier DNA report was unreliable and that a fresh examination by a reputed Central Forensic Laboratory was necessary to ascertain the truth. They emphasized the welfare and rights of the child, which could be adversely affected by reliance on a potentially flawed report. The High Court agreed with the petitioners, highlighting the paramount importance of the child's welfare and the need for accurate scientific evidence in paternity disputes.
The court observed that the rights and future of the child were directly impacted by the determination of paternity, which in turn affected her maintenance, identity, and social status. The judgment emphasized that the interests of justice demanded a liberal approach to allowing fresh DNA testing when earlier reports were in doubt.
The High Court directed that the fresh DNA test be conducted by a reputed Central Forensic Laboratory under court supervision. This step aims to ensure transparency and reliability in the process while minimizing prejudice to any party involved. The court stressed that the outcome of the DNA test would provide crucial evidence to resolve the paternity issue conclusively.
This ruling underscores the judiciary's commitment to safeguarding the welfare and rights of children in legal disputes, ensuring that procedural lapses do not deprive them of their rightful claims. The decision also sets a precedent for courts to adopt a cautious approach when handling scientific evidence in paternity cases, balancing the interests of all parties involved.
Bottom line:-
DNA test is a reliable scientific method for determining paternity, and courts must exercise caution and discretion while ordering such tests. In cases where the paternity of a child is directly in issue and there are reasonable doubts about the reliability of an earlier DNA report, a fresh DNA test through a reputed Central Forensic Laboratory may be ordered to uphold the child's welfare and rights.
Statutory provision(s): Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973; Section 45 of the Evidence Act, 1872
Gudala Lovalakshmi v. Marthi Ramanababu Bujji, (Andhra Pradesh) : Law Finder Doc id # 2943787
