2 min readNew DelhiJul 15, 2014 05:35 AM IST
First published on: Jul 15, 2014 at 05:35 AM IST
The Supreme Court Monday urged the Centre to create a DNA data bank, even as the government said it may consider bringing in a law to make DNA profiling of unclaimed bodies and missing persons mandatory.
“On the foundation of individual dignity,” the court said, the government must come up with concrete measures for creation of the DNA data bank, particularly in respect of unidentified bodies and the missing persons, who are subsequently found dead. The profiling may help ascertaining whether there is a link between the unidentified bodies and persons who went missing .
A bench led by Justice Dipak Misra agreed with the petitioner’s argument that establishment of identity was an essential feature of individual dignity and the government must use modern scientific methods for creation of the DNA data bank.
The bench asked Additional Solicitor General Neeraj K Kaul to impress upon the competent authorities in the government “to think over it seriously so that an apposite road map is brought into existence on making it functional that would echo the voice and cry of the feelings and philosophy of the 21st century”.
Earlier, Kaul submitted before the bench that the government did not undermine the issue of DNA profiling by creating a DNA data bank and that the stakeholders were mulling various aspects of it.
“ This will require various issues relating to expenditure and expertise though. Even a bill is being planned on it and the government is seized of the matter,” Kaul said.
He pointed out that the DNA profiling will also involve issues pertaining to right to privacy as well since people may object to such tests.
“The science and technology wing of the government is looking at all these aspects and we will be able to take a decision soon,” the law officer added.
Ashok Dhamija, counsel for petitioner NGO ‘Lokniti Foundation’ however said there was no reason for the government to be reluctant since such a system was being widely used across the world.
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