The Telangana High Court set aside the order directing DNA testing of a minor child in a divorce case, holding that the husband must prove adultery through other evidence.
But when scientific evidence is denied, how can a husband realistically prove the truth in private marital disputes?
HYDERABAD: Justice Renuka Yara of the Telangana High Court set aside an order of the Senior Civil Judge at Jagtial which had directed DNA testing of a minor child in a matrimonial dispute between a husband and wife. The case arose from a divorce petition filed by the husband alleging that his wife was involved in an extra-marital relationship and that the minor child was not biologically his.
During the proceedings, the trial court allowed an application seeking DNA testing of the husband and the minor child to determine paternity. The husband had sought the test in order to establish the truth behind the allegations affecting his marriage and reputation. However, the wife challenged the order before the High Court.
While examining the case, the High Court noted that matrimonial disputes often involve serious allegations which can deeply affect the life, dignity, and reputation of a husband. At the same time, the Court observed that when a minor child is involved, courts must act with extreme caution because a child’s identity and dignity cannot become collateral damage in a dispute between parents.
The Court pointed out that the litigation was essentially between the husband and the wife, and the child was not even a party to the proceedings. Therefore, the legal system must ensure that in the process of resolving allegations within marriage, the rights of a third party — especially a minor child — are not compromised.
Referring to the legal position explained by the Supreme Court, the Court reproduced the important observation:
“Whose rights, are to tilt the balance in the scales of justice?”
“The child cannot be used as a pawn to show that the mother of the child was living in adultery. It is always open to the respondent husband to prove by other evidence, the adulterous conduct of the wife, but the child’s right to identity should not be allowed to be sacrificed.”
The High Court emphasised that allegations of adultery made by a husband are serious and he has every right to establish the truth before the court. However, the method of proving such allegations must remain legally appropriate and must not harm the fundamental rights of a child who is not responsible for the marital conflict.
The situation reflects a harsh reality often faced by many husbands in matrimonial disputes. When allegations of adultery arise and paternity is questioned, the consequences can severely affect a man’s reputation, emotional stability, and social standing. At the same time, proving such allegations becomes very difficult because these events occur within the private space of marriage, leaving very little direct evidence available to the husband.
The Court clarified that the husband is not without remedy and remains legally entitled to attempt to prove allegations of adultery through other admissible evidence during the divorce proceedings. However, in practical terms, gathering such evidence in deeply personal marital matters can be extremely challenging, which often leaves the husband in a helpless position where suspicion exists but conclusive proof becomes difficult to establish.
What the law prevents is the use of a minor child as an instrument in matrimonial litigation. Therefore, the High Court held that directing DNA testing of the child in these circumstances was not justified and set aside the trial court’s order, allowing the Civil Revision Petition.
Explanatory Table: Laws And Sections Involved
| Law / Provision | Explanation | Relevance In This Case |
| Article 227 of the Constitution of India | Gives High Courts supervisory jurisdiction over lower courts and tribunals. | The husband approached the High Court under this provision to challenge the trial court’s order directing DNA testing. |
| Section 45, Indian Evidence Act, 1872 | Allows courts to rely on expert opinions, including scientific experts such as forensic laboratories. | The trial court used this provision while directing DNA testing through a forensic science laboratory. |
| Section 112, Indian Evidence Act, 1872 | Provides a legal presumption that a child born during a valid marriage is legitimate unless proven otherwise by showing lack of access between spouses. | This principle became central because ordering DNA tests can challenge the legal presumption of legitimacy. |
| Section 13(1)(i) & 13(1)(ia), Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 | Grounds for divorce including adultery and cruelty. | The husband filed the divorce petition alleging adultery and cruelty by the wife. |
| Section 151, Code of Civil Procedure | Recognizes inherent powers of courts to pass orders necessary for justice. | Invoked in procedural aspects during the proceedings. |
Case Details
- Case Title: ABC Vs. XYZ
- Case No. Civil Revision Petition No. 3164 of 2024
- Court: High Court for the State of Telangana
- Bench: Justice Renuka Yara
- Date of Judgment: 06 October 2025
- Originating Case: I.A. No. 173 of 2024 in H.M.O.P. No. 39 of 2024 before the Senior Civil Judge, Jagtial.
- Counsels:
- For Petitioner: M/s Alluri Divakar Reddy, Advocate
- For Respondent No.1: Mr. Y. Bala Murali, Advocate
- For Respondent No.2: None appeared.
Key Takeaways
- When a husband raises allegations of adultery and questions paternity within marriage, proving the truth becomes extremely difficult because such matters usually happen in private and leave very little direct evidence.
- Even when a husband seeks scientific tools like DNA testing to remove doubts about paternity, the law may restrict this option in order to protect the rights and identity of the child.
- As a result, husbands are often left to prove adultery through indirect evidence, which in most matrimonial disputes is very difficult to obtain.
- This creates a situation where serious allegations affecting a man’s dignity, reputation, and emotional life may remain unresolved despite his attempts to establish the truth.
- While protecting the welfare of the child is important, the reality is that many husbands continue to face suspicion, social stigma, and legal uncertainty with limited ways to conclusively prove their claims.
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