New Delhi:
At 87, veteran politician
ND Tiwari has a new son. A DNA test has confirmed that the senior Congress leader is the biological father of Rohit Shekhar, who took him to court. "This is my personal matter. The country should not waste its time on this," Mr Tiwari advised in a press statement.
The results of a DNA test were presented to the Delhi High Court today. Mr Tiwari had asked that the report remain confidential. The judge refused.
Three hours later, it was official. Mr Shekhar, who is 32, was in court. Mr Tiwari was at his home in Dehradun. "His legal troubles have just begun," said Mr Shekhar, adding, "he will pay now for all the hurt he caused my mother."
Ujjwala Sharma, who is Mr Shekhar's mother and was in court with him, said it's upto Mr Shekhar to decide whether he wants to add "Tiwari" to his name. Legal experts said that Mr Shekhar could be granted inheritance rights and have a valid claim to the politician's property.
Since Mr Shekhar went to court five years ago, the politician has tried repeatedly to have the case dismissed. He filed seven appeals in the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court. His lawyers argued that a DNA test would amount to an invasion of his privacy. In April this year, the High Court said the politician would have to submit his blood sample, and authorised the police to enforce its decision, if necessary.
The last few years have shown no paucity of scandal for Mr Tiwari. In December 2009, he was removed as Governor of Andhra Pradesh after a local channel broadcast that purported to show him in a compromising position with three women.
Mr Tiwari has served in the past as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.