📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Maulik Kansara
Crime
Gujarat High Court bars DNA report in rape case without expert testimony
✍️ Live Law
🗓 29 Sep 2026, 11:01 PM
👁 13
The Gujarat High Court ruled that a DNA test report cannot be admitted as evidence in a rape case unless the scientist who performed the test is examined in court.
The Gujarat High Court, sitting in Ahmedabad, delivered a landmark judgment stating that a DNA report is inadmissible unless the forensic expert who conducted the test is examined on the stand. The ruling emerged from a pending rape case where the prosecution sought to rely on DNA evidence to establish the identity of the accused.
The bench emphasized that cross‑examination of the expert is essential to assess the methodology, chain of custody and reliability of the test results. Without such scrutiny, the court argued, the evidentiary value of the DNA report remains uncertain.
Legal experts noted that the decision reinforces procedural safeguards in criminal trials and may prompt prosecutors to ensure expert witnesses are prepared for courtroom testimony. The judgment underscores the judiciary's commitment to upholding fair trial standards while leveraging scientific evidence.
The order does not invalidate existing DNA reports but mandates that any future forensic evidence be accompanied by the testimony of the responsible scientist. This could affect the handling of forensic evidence in sexual assault and other criminal cases across the state.
The court’s observation aligns with precedents from other Indian high courts, which have similarly stressed the need for expert examination to prevent wrongful convictions based solely on laboratory reports.
The bench emphasized that cross‑examination of the expert is essential to assess the methodology, chain of custody and reliability of the test results. Without such scrutiny, the court argued, the evidentiary value of the DNA report remains uncertain.
Legal experts noted that the decision reinforces procedural safeguards in criminal trials and may prompt prosecutors to ensure expert witnesses are prepared for courtroom testimony. The judgment underscores the judiciary's commitment to upholding fair trial standards while leveraging scientific evidence.
The order does not invalidate existing DNA reports but mandates that any future forensic evidence be accompanied by the testimony of the responsible scientist. This could affect the handling of forensic evidence in sexual assault and other criminal cases across the state.
The court’s observation aligns with precedents from other Indian high courts, which have similarly stressed the need for expert examination to prevent wrongful convictions based solely on laboratory reports.