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Judgment
Dr. B. Siva Sankara Rao, J—This Criminal Petition is filed by the Petitioner/respondent under Section 482 Cr.P.C. seeking to quash the docket order dated 04.12.2014 passed in M.C. No. 13 of 2012 by the learned Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Dhone. The M.C filed by 2nd respondent herein represented by her mother against the petitioner herein claiming maintenance as daughter of him by virtue of docket order dated 14.02.2014 is ordered as follows:
"Both parties present. The matter is reopened suo motto. Both parties are directed to undergo DNA test to meet the ends of justice and both parties have to bear equal costs for DNA test. For filing DNA test reported, call on 09.01.2015"
It is the said order now impugned by filing present application under Section 482 Cr.P.C to quash or set aside the same in the ends of justice.
The contentions in the background for said relief are that the Court below ought not to have exercised its jurisdiction beyond limits as such the said order is unsustainable and without even appreciating the material on record particularly Ex. P3 wherein the maintenance claim filed by the minor represented by her mother stated that she does not have any conjugal contacts with the petitioner and ordering DNA test suo-motu does not arise that too after both sides adducing evidence oral and documentary and not called for such expert opinion by any application.
Heard learned counsel for petitioner and also the 1st respondent-State represented by learned Public Prosecutor and 2nd respondent minor represented by her mother and next friend even ordered notice by personal service having been served and acknowledged, failed to attend, hence taken as heard to decide on merits.
No doubt, as laid down by the Apex Court in Nandlal Wasudeo Badwaik Vs. Lata Nandlal Badwaik and Another, AIR 2014 SC 932 : (2014) AIRSCW 506 : (2014) CriLJ 1098 : (2014) 1 JT 266 : (2014) 1 SCALE 99 : (2014) 2 SCC 576 , that DNA test is a conclusive proof based on the scientific knowledge and DNA test can be ordered even in the maintenance proceedings which are quasi civil and summary in nature under Section 125 Cr.P.C. It is so held by explaining the earlier expression in Smt. Kanti Devi and Another Vs. Poshi Ram, AIR 2001 SC 2226 : (2001) 1 DMC 763 : (2001) 1 JT 87 Supp : (2001) 4 SCALE 195 : (2001) 5 SCC 311 : (2001) 3 SCR 729 : (2001) AIRSCW 2100 : (2001) 4 Supreme 78 , wherein it was held even DNA result is indicative in favour of respondent who disputes paternity that is not conclusive proof under Section 112 of Evidence Act read with Section 4 of Evidence Act in view of earlier expression of the Apex Court on presumption of legitimacy under Section 112 of Evidence of Chilukuri Venkateswarlu Vs. Chilukuri Venkatanarayana, AIR 1954 SC 176 : (1954) 1 SCR 424 besides Goutam Kundu Vs. State of West Bengal and another, AIR 1993 SC 2295 : (1993) CriLJ 3233 : (1993) 2 Crimes 481 : (1993) 2 DMC 162 : (1993) 3 JT 443 : (1993) 2 SCALE 994 : (1993) 3 SCC 418 : (1993) 3 SCR 917 referred and discussed.
Referring the expressions, this Court also in Shaik Fakruddin Vs. Shaik Mohammed Hasan and Another, AIR 2006 AP 48 : (2005) 6 ALD 179 : (2005) 6 ALT 97 : (2005) 3 APLJ 238 observed that Section 4 has to be read with 112 of Evidence Act to draw the presumption of a person born during continuance of 280 days after the dissolution of such marriage and paternity can be decided effectively even otherwise without resorting to DNA test, it was held that when paternity can be decided from such evidence DNA test cannot be directed. In fact, the Apex Court in Shri Banarsi Dass Vs. Mrs. Teeku Dutta and Another, (2005) 100 CLT 73 : (2005) 3 CTC 227 : (2005) 4 JT 627 : (2005) 141 PLR 229 : (2005) 4 SCC 449 : (2005) 3 SCR 923 held that when paternity can be decided effectively even otherwise without resorting to DNA test which can be given only in deserving case and not as a matter of routine it can be directed. In Sharda Vs. Dharmpal, AIR 2003 SC 3450 : (2003) 2 CTC 760 : (2003) 1 DMC 627 : (2003) 3 JT 399 : (2003) 3 SCALE 475 : (2003) 4 SCC 493 : (2003) 3 SCR 106 : (2003) 2 UJ 870 : (2003) AIRSCW 1950 : (2003) 2 Supreme 962 , the Apex Court held that though the Court has the power to direct a person to undergo medical test and such power would not be in violation of the right to personal liberty under Article 21 of Constitution of India, Court should exercise such a power, if sought by the applicant by showing strong case with sufficient material before the Court to order.
From the above expressions in sum and substance, it is clear that there is no inherent power under Section 482 Cr.P.C to the learned Magistrate and the expressions say without application the magistrate cannot resort to such recourse and admittedly in the factual matrix of the case on hand including from the impugned docket order none of the parties applied for DNA test examination and in the impugned order also there is no discussion as to how the evidence on record sufficient or not, the ordeal taken by the Magistrate is beyond his jurisdiction.
Having regard to the above, Criminal Petition is disposed of by setting aside the impugned order and the matter is remitted back by leaving it open to either of the parties to file an application within 15 days from the date of receipt of copy of this order. If such application is filed, it is left open for the learned Magistrate to entertain and decide the same within the legal parameters referred supra and thereafter to decide the M.C, which is summary in nature. Miscellaneous petitions, if any pending, shall stand closed.