The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed a plea for mediation by veteran Congress leader N.D. Tiwari in a paternity dispute after plaintiff Rohit Shekhar and his mother Ujjawala rejected the offer.
Mr. Shekhar, in his suit, has sought a decree declaring Mr. Tiwari as his biological father.
Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw dismissed the application saying the matter could not go for mediation as the plaintiff and his mother had refused to settle it out-of-court.
Earlier, counsel for Mr. Shekhar and his mother argued that Mr. Tiwari had to suffer a decree in the matter as there was no scope for mediation since the dispute did involve distribution of property.
Ms. Ujjawala further submitted that Mr. Tiwari had no option but to accept her son as his biological son.
The Court also closed the recording of evidence in the matter and fixed April 21 as the date for a final hearing on the basis of whatever evidence had so far been submitted.
The Court had earlier closed recording of evidence on two occasions.
Mr. Tiwari had in his plea said notwithstanding the merit of the case he wanted an amicable and out-of-court settlement with the help of mediation.
The Court had on February 12 imposed a cost of Rs.2.5 lakh on him for flouting its orders and causing inconvenience to the court as well as the plaintiff.
It had given him the last opportunity to preset himself before a Court-appointed Local Commissioner here for his cross-examination by the plaintiff and his mother on February 20. But the Congress leader failed appear before the Local Commissioner on that day, which led to the conclusion of evidence.
Mr. Shekhar and his mother have already been cross-examined in the matter by Mr. Tiwari’s counsel. Also, a DNA test has already established Mr. Shekhar as Mr. Tiwari’s son.
