New Delhi, November 25
Andhra Pradesh Governor N.D. Tiwari, who is in the thick of a legal battle initiated by a 29-year-old man claiming to be his son, was today asked to appear before the Delhi High Court on December 16.
The high court refused to exempt Tiwari from personal appearance, saying that it was a family matter and he was “not above the law”.
“In view of the fact that present suit ‘purports’ to be a family matter, the parties are directed to be present in the chamber on December 16 at 3 PM,” Justice Reva Khetrapal said.
The court passed the order on a suit filed by Rohit Shekhar, grandson of former union minister Sher Singh, claiming that he was born out of a relationship between Tiwari and his mother Ujjwala Singh, who is also associated with the Congress.
The 85-year-old Governor has rubbished the claim.Advocate Subro Sanyal appearing for Tiwari objected to the Governor being asked to appear in person.
“I would like him to come to the chamber. He is not above the law. I would like to meet all parties in the chamber,” the court observed while brushing aside the plea of the Governor.
During the arguments advocate Y.P. Nanda, appearing for Rohit, placed before
the court various photographs taken since 1979 showing Rohit along with his
mother and Tiwari.
“Child is there in the photograph and it could be seen he (Tiwari) is loving the child. The petitioner is present in the court and it could be seen from the pictures that he looks very similar to N.D. Tiwari in his younger days,” Nanda said while gesturing towards Rohit who was sitting on the back bench.
Tiwari’s counsel, however, refuted any kind of blood relationship between the former Congress leader and Rohit.
“Photographs just show that we were close and I was fond of him because he was my friend’s (Ujjwala) son,” Nanda said.
“He is just trying to sully my public image. He just wants to come in my life when I am 85 years old,” he further said.
He
added that it is a peculiar case when a person is approaching the court so many years after he was born seeking declaration of his parenthood.
Justice Khetrapal also went through the photographs and pointed out her (Ujjwala) husband was not seen in any of them.
“Her husband is not figuring in any of the photographs. Why don’t we call him (Tiwari) and ask him to make a statement,” the court observed.
The former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand has refused to undergo DNA test when petitioner counsel contended that the test would prove everything.
“Why should I be forced to undergo the test. There is no legal provision under which I can be forced to undergo DNA test”, Tiwari’s counsel argued.
The court admitted Rohit’s petition in April and sought a response from Tiwari.
“He (Rohit) is just trying to sully my public image. He just wants to come in my life when I (Tiwari) am 85 years old.
My wife died long back and I am issueless,” Tiwari’s counsel said adding that it is a peculiar case when a person is approaching the court so many years after he was born seeking declaration of his parenthood.
Justice Khetrapal also went through the photographs and pointed out that her (Ujjwala) husband was not seen in any of them.
“Her husband is not figuring in any any of the photographs. Why don’t we call him (Tiwari) and ask him to make a statement,” the court observed.
The former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Uttrakhand has refused to undergo DNA test when petitioner counsel contended that the test would prove everything.
“Why should I be forced to undergo the test. There is no legal provision under which I can be forced to undergo DNA test”, Tiwari’s counsel argued.
The court admitted Rohit’s petition in April and sought a response from Tiwari.
— PTI
