Nurpur forensic unit to get new building

The District Forensic Unit (DFU) in Nurpur, established three years ago in a single office at the mini secretariat, is set to receive its own dedicated building. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will inaugurate the newly constructed triple-story facility, built at a cost of Rs 2.05 crore, on Saturday. Located along the Pathankot-Mandi national highway near the forest department colony, this development marks a significant step forward for forensic science in the region.

Previously, the lack of infrastructure meant that circumstantial forensic evidence collected from crime scenes had to be sent to Dharamshala for examination. The mobile forensic science laboratory was the sole unit operating in Nurpur, handling crime scene investigations. The absence of a full-fledged forensic laboratory forced reliance on district forensic laboratories for crucial tests such as viscera analysis, blood alcohol levels, and biological evidence.

The operationalisation of the new DFU will now enable comprehensive forensic investigations within the Nurpur and Chamba police districts. The state government has sanctioned four key posts to staff the unit: Assistant Director, Scientific Assistant, Laboratory Assistant, and Driver.

Director of Forensic Sciences, Minakshi Mahajan, emphasized the growing importance of forensic investigations, particularly in criminal cases with penalties of seven years or more of imprisonment. She assured that the DFU would soon be equipped with modern infrastructure to aid in evidence collection and analysis. Additionally, the unit will provide special training to police investigators and host awareness workshops for the public.

The new DFU is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency of criminal investigations, reducing dependency on external facilities and ensuring timely justice in serious cases.