Husband can’t use children’s DNA to prove wife’s adultery, rules Andhra Pradesh High Court, rejects man’s plea

For the purpose of proving the wife is adulterous, the petitioner cannot seek a DNA test of his children, the Andhra Pradesh High Court noted.

Andhra Pradesh High Court news: Highlighting that even on the assumption that the wife is committing “adultery”, the husband cannot seek the DNA testing of the children, the Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissed the husband’s plea to subject his children to DNA testing to prove his wife’s alleged adultery.

While dealing with a plea of a husband, Justice Tarlada Rajasekhar Rao upheld a trial court ’s decision to deny a DNA test plea filed during divorce proceedings.

“Even assuming that the wife is committing adultery, the petitioner cannot file an application to send the children for DNA testing, particularly when the children are not claiming any maintenance from the father and the adulterer, and the children are not parties to the lis,” the court observed on March 12.

Noting that to prove that his wife is in adultery , the petitioner has to adduce evidence in any other manner to that extent, the court said that for the purpose of proving the wife is adulterous, the petitioner cannot seek a DNA test of his children.

Right to privacy v right to fair trial
Jagriti Rai works with The Indian Express, where she writes from the vital intersection of law, gender, and society.

Working on a dedicated legal desk, she focuses on translating complex legal frameworks into relatable narratives, exploring how the judiciary and legislative shifts empower and shape the consciousness of citizens in their daily lives.

Socio-Legal Specialization: Jagriti brings a critical, human-centric perspective to modern social debates.

Her work focuses on how legal developments impact gender rights, marginalized communities, and individual liberties.

Diverse Editorial Background: With over 4 years of experience in digital and mainstream media, she has developed a versatile reporting style.

Her previous tenures at high-traffic platforms like The Lallantop and Dainik Bhaskar provided her with deep insights into the information needs of a diverse Indian audience.

Academic Foundations:
Post-Graduate in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), India’s premier media training institute.

Master of Arts in Ancient History from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), providing her with the historical and cultural context necessary to analyze long-standing social structures and legal evolutions.

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