N-E Delhi violence: HC directs authorities to run DNA test

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday directed authorities to conduct DNA testing on the bodies of North East Delhi riot victims without waiting for an order from any court, taking into account the urgency of each case. Justice Navin Chawla noted the submission of the counsel for Delhi government that there is a delay in testing only for want of orders from the court and said "as there is

no such provision of law shown requiring orders from the court, such delay cannot be countenanced".

"The respondents must, therefore, looking into the urgency of each case, carry out such testing without waiting for any order from any court," the judge said. The court was hearing a petition by the family members of a riot victim, whose burnt body was recovered on February 27.

DNA samples were taken from the body and the family members to confirm the identity of the deceased, however, they did not hear anything from the authorities thereafter.