In this roundup of court judgements, we look at Constitutional Courts’ remarks & directions on implication of DNA tests on personal liberty, providing Braille textbooks for all children with special needs, reservation in promotions to PwDs, and providing ex-gratia payment for COVID-19 deaths irrespective of the cause of death mentioned in the death certificate. Supreme Court: Forcing unwilling party to undergo DNA test impinges on personal liberty and right to privacy. In the case Ashok Kumar Vs. Raj Gupta and others, the Supreme Court observed that forcing an unwilling party to undergo a DNA test impinges on personal liberty and right to privacy. The court was hearing a property dispute case, wherein the plaintiff claimed to be the son of late Trilok Chand Gupta and Sona Devi and was seeking a declaration of ownership of property left behind by them. The late couple’s daughters are defendants in the suit. During the trial, the defendants filed an application seeking to direct the plaintiff to undergo a DNA test to establish his biological link with late Trilok Chand Gupta and late Sona Devi. The plaintiff objected to this and pointed out that he has produced adequate documentary evidence to support his claim. The trial court dismissed the application saying that the plaintiff cannot be compelled to undergo the test. Challenging the trial court’s dismissal, the defendants filed an appeal before the High Court, which directed the plaintiff to undergo the DNA test. Against the High Court order, the plaintiff approached the Supreme Court. The apex court explored whether the plaintiff, without subjecting himself to a DNA test, is entitled to establish his right over the property through other material evidence. The Court noted that it has been held in Banarsi Dass V. Teeku Dutta that a DNA test is not to be directed as a matter of routine but only in deserving cases. Keeping in mind the issue of burden of proof, the bench of Hrishikesh Roy observed that in the present case, the Court’s decision should be rendered only after balancing the quest for truth, and the social and cultural implications involved therein. The Supreme Court held that the trial court correctly dismissed the request for DNA testing. The plaintiff had produced SSLC (Secondary School Leaving) Certificate, domicile certificate to show his biological link with the parents. Therefore, the judgement observed that forcing an unwilling party to undergo a DNA test impinges on personal liberty and right to privacy and held that the case will have to be ultimately decided based on the quality of evidence adduced by the plaintiff. Karnataka HC: Directed the State to provide Braille textbooks to children with special needs within a period of 15 days. In the case National Federation Of The Blind, Karnataka Vs. State Of Karnataka, the Karnataka high court has directed the State Government to provide Braille textbooks for all children with special needs (visual disabilities) within a period of 15 days, starting from 17 September 2021. The high court was hearing a petition filed by the National Federation of the Blind, Karnataka on behalf of the children who are specially-abled. The petitioner contended that in the State of Karnataka, textbooks are not available in Braille, and they have also not been uploaded on the website in PDF form so that a printout can be taken in Braille. In its earlier order (dated 18 March 2020), a memo was filed by the state government before the high court where it was described that the Karnataka Textbook Society has already provided the PDF files of Classes 1-10 (Kannada medium) to Braille Press, Mysuru. The memo also mentioned that the printing press is preparing the textbooks in Braille, and they will be available from the next academic year. The memo also highlighted that the textbooks for children with visual disabilities will be provided as per the indent given by Samagra Shiksha Karnataka. After considering the submissions, the bench of acting Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum directed the State government to fulfil the statement made by it last year and provide Braille textbooks for all children with special needs (visual disabilities) within a period of 15 days. The court further directed the State to file a compliance report. The matter has been posted for further hearing on 07 October 2021. Supreme Court: Directs centre to issue instructions to implement reservation in promotions for PwDs within 4 months. In the case Siddaraju Vs.