HC to frame issues in paternity suit against N D Tiwari

The Delhi High Court today decided to frame in July the issues to be adjudicated by it in the paternity suit filed against veteran Congress leader N D Tiwari by a young man claiming to be his biological son.

The Delhi High Court today decided to frame in July the issues to be adjudicated by it in the paternity suit filed against veteran Congress leader N D Tiwari by a young man claiming to be his biological son.

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Ten days after the Supreme Court refused to stay the proceedings against 84-year-old leader, the High Court fixed July 30 for framing the issues in the suit and asked all the parties involved in the case to file their responses within four weeks.

The apex court had on May 10 had dismissed the appeal filed by Tiwari challenging High Court's decision to adjudicate the paternity suit.

Rohit Shekhar, who has filed the paternity suit, claimed he was born out of a relationship between his mother Ujjwala Sharma and Tiwari, a charge denied by the Congress leader and former Andhra Pradesh governor.

Tiwari earlier refused to undergo DNA test on Rohit's plea and denied ever having any physical relationship with his mother.

In an affidavit filed in the Delhi High Court, the former Governor hit back at the woman Ujjwala Sharma, who is also a Congress leader, and her son Rohit saying "he did not have and never had any physical relationship with her".

"The plaintiff (Rohit) is not entitled to seek DNA test as a matter of right. The same is contrary not only to law but also to equity," the leader said adding "to say that he developed a liking for her(Ujjwala) and that after 8-10 years they entered into a relationship is scandalous and defamatory."

Tiwari had to resign as Governor of Andhra Pradesh after he was purportedly shown in a sting operation to be in a compromising position with three women.

Earlier, the High Court had dismissed the plea by Tiwari who sought dismissal of the petition on the ground that it was filed 31 years after the petitioner was born in order to malign his character.