Madras HC issues notice to Jayalalithaa's niece, nephew on plea by woman claiming to be daughter

During the hearing yesterday, the judge, while noting that several persons were claiming that they were the legal hire of Jayalalithaa, had orally observed that a DNA test may be ordered.

Late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa (File | PTI)

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court today issued a notice to J Jayalalithaa's niece and nephew on a petition by a woman claiming to be the biological daughter of the former Tamil Nadu chief minister and seeking a DNA test to establish her parentage.

Justice S Vaidyanathan, who issued notice to Jayalalithaa's niece J Deepa and nephew J Deepak, said the court cannot order a DNA test as the petition's maintainability was yet to be argued.

If the petitioner's plea was accepted, "it will result in opening of a Pandora’s box, which will only lead to more deterioration of the privacy" of Jayalalithaa, he said.

The woman had last month moved the Supreme Court with the same prayer but it had refused to entertain the plea. She had claimed that she was given in adoption to Jayalalithaa's sister and her husband.

The apex court had, however, said she was at liberty to approach the high court.

Jayalalithaa died on December 5 last year after prolonged hospitalisation and her body was buried off the famous Marina Beach here.

Referring to the petitioner's claim that late actor Shobhan Babu was her father, the judge asked why she had not sought a DNA test to prove it.

Replying to this, senior counsel V Prakash, who appeared for the petitioner, said she only wanted to establish her relationship with Jayalalithaa.

The matter was posted to January 5 for further hearing.

During the hearing yesterday, the judge, while noting that several persons were claiming that they were the legal hire of Jayalalithaa, had orally observed that a DNA test may be ordered to put the quietus on the issue.

Alleging that the petitioner was a 'fortune hunter' or 'publicity seeker', Advocate General Vijay Narayan had yesterday said that even for a DNA test, the court has to arrive at a prima facie case.