Govt to set up two forensic labs at Hisar, Panchkula

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

chandigarh, June 27

The Haryana Government is setting up two more regional forensic science laboratories (FSLs) at Hisar and Panchkula. Two such laboratories are already functional at Bhondsi in Gurgaon and Sunaria in Rohtak, besides the Forensic Science Laboratory at Madhuban.

As a case on the setting up of forensic science labs came up for resumed hearing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a Division Bench was told that the competent authority’s approval in principle had been obtained as per the State’s Rules of Business on receiving a detailed project report.

The Bench was also told that the state government had also accorded its approval for engagement of required manpower and staff for both regional forensic science laboratories. The buildings were to be fabricated and modified through the Haryana Police Housing Corporation; and necessary directions had been passed on to the DGP

Taking note of the assertions, the Division Bench of Justice SS Saron and Justice Gurmit Ram asked Haryana to “mention the steps taken for setting up FSLs at Hisar and Panchkula”.

The Bench also took on record an affidavit filed on the state’s behalf by Wazeer Singh Goyat, Special Secretary, Home Department, stating that manpower, buildings, furniture and other scientific instruments had already been provided at the Bhondsi and Sunaria laboratories; and both had become functional and operational.

The total number of crime cases pending by April was 204 in the Bhondsi laboratory and 239 at Sunaria laboratory.

The development is significant as the HC had earlier observed a number of accused in drug cases kept on languishing in jail due to the non-receipt of FSL reports by the investigating agency. This inordinate delay was leading to violation of Article 21 of the Constitution.

The HC had also observed that accused in drug cases were getting “default bail” as the challan or the final investigation report was not presented within the stipulated 180 days. It gave the accused an “indefeasible right” to get “default” bail in the absence of extension in time granted by the court.