High Court Seeks Status Of Forensic Labs Upgradation From Punjab Home Secretary

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has sought affidavit from Punjab's Home Secretary on action plan for upgradation of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in the region.

The development came after the Court while dealing with the bail pleas found that CCTV footage provided by the petitioner could not be examined due to lack of facility at FSL, Punjab, SAS Nagar, Mohali.

Justice Sandeep Moudgil said, “the State is directed to file an affidavit of the Home Secretary giving comprehensive schedule and action plan for upgradation of the Forensic Science Laboratory, SAS Nagar, Mohali as well as the regional Forensic Science Laboratories situated at Bathinda, Amritsar and Ludhiana within a period of two weeks from today.”

The Court noted that previously in a Public Interest Litigation it was filed on affidavit that hundreds of lakhs of rupees were sanctioned and actually spent for purchase of various equipments and for upgradation of Forensic Science Laboratory, SAS, Nagar, Mohali as well as three regional Forensic Science Laboratories situated at Bathinda, Amritsar and Ludhiana.

Along with the affidavit of Home Secretary, the Court also sought affidavit another affidavit of Dr. Ashwani Kalia, Director Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab, SAS Nagar "with the description categorically confined to the process which has been initiated and the progress undertaken till date with the circulation of file in the different branches/departments."

It is pertinent to noted that recently the High Court observed that the extensive backlog with the FSL, which has caused undue delays in trials, reveals a stark failure on the part of the States to ensure timely administration of justice.

Mr. Amardeep Singh, Advocate

Mr. Gaurav Pathania, Advocate and Mr. Ankur Jain, Advocate for the petitioner. Mr. Jaspal Singh Guru, AAG, Punjab.

Title: VINAY KUMAR v. STATE OF PUNJAB

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