At last, N D Tiwari admits Rohit Shekhar is his son

New Delhi: Veteran politician Narayan Dutt Tiwari today admitted that Rohit Shekhar, with whom he had a long-running legal tangle over paternity issue, was his son. Replying to questions from reporters, Tiwari, who has served as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and as Governor of Andhra Pradesh, said: " The DNA test has proved that he is my son, and I have no hesitation in admitting that he is my son.""It's nothing wrong in admitting that the DNA test has proved that he is my son. There is no dispute over it. I will have to accept the Test report", said Tiwari. Asked whether Rohit Shekhar, presently a journalist, would be able to bear his political legacy, Tiwari said: "Whether he succeeds or not, depends on him. Legacy can't be bestowed from father to son."The 90-year-old veteran politician who has served the Gandhi generations from Nehru to Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi to Sonia Gandhi, is presently seeking out-of-court settlement with Rohit Shekhar. Rohit Shekhar was born to social activist Ujjwala Sharma, who had an intimate relationship with Tiwari.Here is the timeline of how Rohit Shekhar, born out of wedlock, initiated the legal process to demand that Tiwari admit he was his son.Sept 13, 2007: Rohit Shekhar files paternity suit in the Delhi High Court.Nov 25, 2008: Justice J Reva Khetrapal summons Tiwari to appear in person in her chamber on December 16. Tiwari challenges single judge order under provisions of the CrPC exempting governor from coming to court.Nov 3, 2009: Justice SN Dhingra dismisses Rohit Shekhar's case on technical grounds of limitation and jurisdiction.Mar 17, 2010: Division bench of justices Vikramjit Sen and Manmohan Singh overrules single judge order and allows Shekhar's case to proceed as his residence was in Delhi.Apr 7: Justice JR Midha asks Tiwari to respond on photographs placed on record by Shekhar and his mother Ujjwala Sharma.Dec 23: Justice S Ravindra Bhat directs Tiwari to give blood sample for DNA test.Feb 7, 2011: Tiwari files appeal and division bench of justices Vikramjit Sen and Siddharth Mridul upholds order for giving blood sample.Mar 18: Tiwari moves Supreme Court which refuses to stay the matter of conducting DNA test.June 1: Ujjwala and Shekhar come to give blood samples but Tiwari backtracks.Sept 23: Justice Geeta Mittal says Tiwari's refusal is unjustified and malafide but he cannot be compelled to give blood sample.Apr 27, 2012: Shekhar challenges the order before division bench of HC comprising acting Chief Justice AK Sikri and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw which sets aside the single-judge order.Apr 27: Tiwari asked to comply with court order and on refusal, blood sample to be taken with police help.May 1: Supreme Court refuses to entertain Tiwari's appeal and directs him to comply with its earlier order.May 14: HC directs Tiwari not to leave the country before giving blood sample and orders CDFC lab to send kits.May 16: HC directs Tiwari, Ujjwala and Shekhar to be present before its joint registrar on May 21 for giving blood samples.May 26: Ujjwala and Shekhar give blood samples before joint registrar.May 27: Tiwari moves Supreme Court vacation bench that he should not be compelled to give blood sample against his wish.May 28: SC rejects his plea and grants permission that his blood sample will be taken at his Dehradun residence in the presence of district judge of the state, civil surgeon, pathologist, HC joint registrar, Ujjwala and Shekhar.May 29: Tiwari's blood sample taken in Dehradun and sent to CDFD lab.July 2: HC receives report of DNA test from the lab.July 20: HC dismisses Tiwari's plea for keeping the DNA test report confidential.July 24: Tiwari moves SC. Matter could not be listed for hearing.July 27: HC rejects his plea not to open his DNA report. HC opens DNA test report, says Tiwari is the biological father of Shekhar.Feb 19, 2014: Tiwari's lawyers approach the Delhi High Court seeking outside settlement in a paternity suit, request the court to refer the matter for mediationFeb 20: Tiwari granted the last opportunity for cross-examination by court, fails to appear before the local commissionerFeb 28: Delhi HC dismisses plea Tiwari's mediation plea, fixes the case for final hearing on April 21.2 March: Tiwari invites Rohit to his house, reportedly tells him he is tired of fighting.3 March: Tiwari confesses Rohit is his son