Shivangi Prakash-
Published on: August 13, 2021 at 14:30 IST
The Orissa High Court, noting that forensic science is an important component of the justice system, has directed the State Government to take immediate steps to ensure the deployment of adequate manpower or technical personnel at the State Forensic Science Laboratory in order to reduce the time it takes to conduct tests there.
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 further stated that such delays are a “affront to the criminal justice system” and contribute to the system’s inefficiencies.
The Court expressed its concern after learning on Monday that 589 DNA test cases were pending with SFSL, with reports taking months to arrive.
The development occurred after the Director of SFSL informed the Court of the difficulties encountered due to a manpower deficit.
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.
“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 issue will now be discussed on August 19.