UP's Forensic Lab Infra Insufficient Considering State's Size, Population: Allahabad High Court Seeks Govt's Response
HC says only 1 State Lab and 12 regional forensic labs are insufficient considering the state's size and population.
Noting that the state has only 1 State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and 12 Regional FSLs, the Allahabad High Court last week observed that Uttar Pradesh's existing FSL infrastructure is 'insufficient' considering the state's size and population.
A bench of Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra has directed the Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Uttar Pradesh, to file an exhaustive counter-affidavit within 4 weeks addressing the issue.
The bench passed the order on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) plea filed by Piyush Gupta, an advocate by profession, seeking time limits for forensic examinations and the establishment of more laboratories.
"Considering the size and populations of the present State, these numbers are insufficient", the Court observed as it referreding to the number of forensic laboratories in Uttar Pradesh.
The PIL plea seeks a direction to the State authorities to frame and notify a standard operating procedure (SOP) governing the examination of samples received at forensic science laboratories and the dispatch of reports, including category-wise outer time limits.
The petitioner has sought category-wise deadlines for forensic examinations, calculated from the date a sample is received at the laboratory.
The plea also seeks shorter timelines or priority processing for samples in cases where an accused is in custody and in cases falling under Section 193(2) of the BNSS.
It further seeks a requirement that the Director record reasons in writing whenever an outer time limit is exceeded, along with a mechanism to periodically place such delayed cases before a designated officer.
The petition also seeks directions to the State government to establish more forensic science laboratories for the "efficient and easy functioning of the Criminal Justice System".
The Court noted that the petitioner had raised concerns about delays in forensic reporting affecting persons in custody awaiting trial, victims of serious offences and their families.
The Court further noted that the petition concerns cases involving accused persons in custody who may be unable to proceed until forensic reports arrive. It also points to prosecutions in cases involving rape, murder and other grave offences that may fail for want of conclusive scientific evidence.
The counsel for the petitioner referred to the state-wise details of forensic laboratories contained in the Ministry of Home Affairs' response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question answered on December 17, 2024.
Observing that the matter required consideration, the High Court directed the Director of the FSL, Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow, to file an exhaustive counter-affidavit within four weeks.
The matter has been listed in the week commencing November 30.