India, July 4 -- A child's right to establish their biological parentage prevails over concerns of social stigma or the reputational interests of adults, the Delhi high court has held, while upholding a trial court's order for a man's DNA test to ascertain paternity.

A bench of justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, in its verdict delivered on Friday, held that children cannot become casualties of adult choices, since determination of a child's parentage is fundamental to their identity and legal entitlements, including maintenance and is also connected with their identity and dignity.

In its 32-page judgment, the court observed that the law cannot permit adults to enjoy the privileges of personal choice while shifting the resulting burdens onto...