"Forensic Science Forms Integral Part Of Justice Delivery System": Orissa High Court Asks State To Deploy Adequate Manpower At SFSL

Observing that forensic science is an integral part of the justice delivery system, the Orissa High Court has asked the State Government to take immediate steps for ensuring deployment of adequate manpower or technical personnel at the State Forensic Science Laboratory in order to shorten the time period for conducting tests at the Lab.

Justice SK Panigrahi ordered thus:

"This Court requests the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, Government of Odisha to look into the pending issue of inadequate manpower of the S.F.S.L., Bhubaneswar and other regional centres with utmost urgency and to take stringent measures to ensure that these tests as are requisitioned from time to time by various courts are done within the time prescribed under the protocol so that the Courts, the prosecutors, and litigants in general would not have to wait for the scientific reports for months together."

The Court also observed that such delay is an "affront to the criminal justice system" and adds to the inefficiency of the system.

The development came after the Court was apprised by Director of SFSL about the problems being faced with respect to shortage of man power. It was submitted that due to such a shortage, the Laboratory was failing to conduct tests as per the time limit prescribed under the testing protocol.

"The entire judicial system of justice has always had immense faith in forensic science which forms an integral part of the justice delivery system. However, it is unfortunate that most of our forensic laboratories lack basic infrastructure and personnel," the Court said.

Furthermore, the Court also relied upon various committees and commissions set up including National Police Commission report (1977–81); Ribeiro Committee Report (1998–99); Padmanabhaiah Committee Report (2000) and Soli Sorabjee Committee Report (2005) which have "unequivocally echoed the importance of Forensic science as a powerful weapon in the armoury of administration of justice."

"It is unfortunate that the State Government has not given priority to the issue as it deserves. The issue of strengthening the Regional Forensic laboratories located in different parts of state also deserves special attention in order to decongest the case loads of the State Forensic Science Laboratory, Bhubaneswar," the Court observed.

The matter will now be taken up on August 19.

Title: Ganeswar Behera v. State of Odisha and another

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