Madras High Court Imposes ₹50,000 Costs for Belated DNA-Test Demand in Maintenance Dispute

The Madras High Court rejected a husband’s attempt to obtain a DNA test of his child in a long-running matrimonial dispute and imposed ₹50,000 costs payable to his wife.

Background and legal issue

The request came about a decade after domestic-violence and maintenance proceedings began. The trial court had found no material establishing lack of access between the spouses during the relevant period.

Court’s reasoning and procedural position

Justice Shamim Ahmed stressed that DNA testing cannot be used routinely to pursue allegations of infidelity or compromise a child’s identity without a strong evidentiary foundation.

Legal consequence and next step

The criminal revision was dismissed. The judgment protects the child’s interests while leaving parties free to establish relevant facts through lawful evidence.