SC restrains casual use of DNA tests

SC SAID SUCH ORDERS INTRUDE UPON BODILY AUTONOMY, PRIVACY AND THE DIGNITY OF INDIVIDUALS

- Utkarsh Anand

The Supreme Court on Monday held that courts cannot direct DNA testing as a routine measure, underscoring that such orders intrude upon bodily autonomy, privacy and the dignity of individuals, and may also cause irreversible harm to the sanctity of family relationships.

A bench of justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul M Pancholi stressed that DNA profiling is a highly intrusive process and must be ordered only when it is “eminently necessary” to secure justice.

“This Court has consistently held that DNA testing cannot be ordered as a matter of course and must be subject to stringent safeguards to protect the dignity of individuals and the legitimacy of children born during the wedlock,” said the bench.