Supreme Court – AIIMS Acting Director Apologises Over DNA Case Affidavit
Supreme Court – The Supreme Court on Thursday accepted an unconditional apology from the acting director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences after expressing concern over the filing of an affidavit in a pending DNA paternity dispute. The bench said the document did not meet its earlier direction, which had sought an explanation directly from the official in his personal capacity.
Court Questions Compliance With Earlier Direction
The issue arose from an earlier order passed on April 16, 2026, when the Supreme Court added the AIIMS director as a respondent in the matter. The court had asked the official to personally explain the institute’s compliance with directions linked to a DNA test conducted in the paternity case.
However, when the matter came up again, the court found that the explanation had been filed as an institutional affidavit rather than one submitted by the acting director personally. The bench indicated that this was not what it had requested at the previous hearing.
A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R. Mahadevan said it was disturbed by the way its instructions had been handled despite repeated opportunities being given to the institute.
Bench Expresses Concern Over Affidavit Filing
Senior law officer Aishwarya Bhati appeared for the acting director during the hearing. Justice Amanullah questioned why another affidavit had been filed when the court had already made clear that it wanted a personal explanation from the officer concerned.
The bench remarked that it was surprised by what it described as a casual approach to the court’s earlier order. It noted that the direction had been specific and that the response submitted did not address the requirement in the manner expected.
The proceedings relate to a DNA paternity test dispute that remains before the apex court. AIIMS was asked to clarify issues concerning the test and the institution’s adherence to judicial directions in the case.
Apology Accepted, Contempt Action Dropped
After the court raised its concerns, the acting director tendered an unconditional apology. The bench accepted the apology and decided against beginning contempt proceedings.
In its order, the court recorded that the apology had been offered and noted the submission that the acting director was not in office when the affidavit was filed. It also took note of an assurance that authorities at AIIMS would avoid similar lapses in future cases involving court directions.
The court said it was accepting the apology on that basis and would not pursue contempt action at this stage. The matter will continue in accordance with the proceedings already pending before the Supreme Court.
Delhi High Court Upholds Case Against Chitra Ramkrishna
In a separate legal development, the Delhi High Court upheld the prosecution of former National Stock Exchange chief executive Chitra Ramkrishna under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
A division bench of Justices Ravinder Dudeja and Navin Chawla held that the National Stock Exchange performs a public duty, making the provisions relating to public servants applicable in the case.
Ramkrishna had argued that the NSE was a private company and that provisions of the anti-corruption law dealing with public servants could not be invoked against her. The court rejected that argument, finding that the exchange’s role and functions carried a public character.
The ruling allows the prosecution to continue under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The decision is significant because it addresses the legal status of officials associated with institutions that may be privately incorporated but perform functions with a wider public impact.