Delhi HC imposes Rs 2.5 lakh fine on ND Tiwari

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs 2.5 lakh on veteran Congress leader ND Tiwari for repeatedly failing to adhere to its order.

A division bench of Justice Ravindra Bhat and Justice RV Easwar asked Tiwari to pay Rs 2.5 lakh to Rohit Shekhar, who had filed a paternity suit claiming Tiwari is his biological father. The bench also rejected Tiwari`s application asking that the cross examination be held outside the court premises. The court, granting Tiwari a last opportunity for cross examination, asked him to remain present in the court Feb 20 before the local commissioner appointed by it. Tiwari had consistently failed to comply with the orders of the Supreme Court and the high court, the lawyer appearing for Shekhar contended. The Supreme Court Nov 2012 ordered the high court to expeditiously proceed with the paternity suit filed against Tiwari. In 2008, Rohit Shekhar had filed a paternity suit in the high court seeking to declare Tiwari as his biological father. A single judge bench Sep 18, 2013 rejected Tiwari`s plea to hold his cross examination outside the court premises. The judge directed Tiwari to appear before the high court-appointed local commissioner for recording of evidence. Tiwari did not appear and instead moved an application seeking postponement of the cross-examination for eight weeks. The plea was rejected by the court. The high court July 27, 2012 read out a DNA report in the case, according to which Tiwari was shown as Shekhar`s biological father.