DNA testing has increasingly become a decisive tool not only in forensics but also in family law disputes. A recent case from Dholka, Gujarat, highlights how DNA evidence can impact legal decisions, including maintenance and financial obligations.
In this case, a 65-year-old cloth merchant received temporary relief from court-ordered maintenance payments to his estranged wife after DNA evidence disproved his paternity of one of their two children. The couple, married in 1992, had been living separately for several years due to marital discord. In 2021, the husband filed for divorce citing his wife’s alleged infidelity. Subsequently, the wife sought maintenance through a local magistrate, who initially ordered him to pay ₹3,000 per month.
The turning point came when the husband submitted two independent DNA reports—one from a private laboratory in Delhi and another from Gujarat’s Forensic Science Laboratory—both confirming he was not the biological father of his daughter. Despite this evidence, the magistrate had maintained the financial order, which the sessions court later found to be a misjudgment. The higher court remanded the case, instructing a thorough review of the DNA reports along with other relevant evidence to determine the validity of the wife’s claim.
This case underscores the growing significance of DNA testing in legal proceedings, particularly in matters of paternity, child support, and inheritance claims. Courts are increasingly recognizing genetic evidence as reliable scientific proof that can override previous assumptions in family disputes. While traditional documentation and testimony remain important, DNA testing adds an objective, scientifically verifiable dimension to legal decision-making.
Moreover, it illustrates the importance of accredited laboratories and accurate testing protocols, as multiple reports from independent sources were critical in establishing the truth. Legal professionals and families now view DNA testing as a key tool to resolve disputes fairly, reduce litigation ambiguity, and ensure that financial obligations are aligned with biological realities.
As DNA testing becomes more accessible in India, it is likely to play a growing role in shaping family law judgments and protecting the rights of individuals, while ensuring that decisions are based on accurate scientific evidence rather than assumptions or allegations.
Source: Times of India
Published: September 2025
