The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Home Secretary of Punjab to submit an affidavit outlining the action plan for the upgradation of the region's Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).

This development followed the Court's review of bail pleas, where it was revealed that the CCTV footage provided by the petitioner could not be examined due to insufficient facilities at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in 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 observed that in a previous Public Interest Litigation, an affidavit had been filed stating that several lakhs of rupees had been sanctioned and spent for the procurement of various equipment and the upgradation of the Forensic Science Laboratory in SAS Nagar, Mohali, as well as the three regional laboratories located in Bathinda, Amritsar, and Ludhiana.

In addition to the affidavit from the Home Secretary, the Court also directed Dr. Ashwani Kalia, Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory, Punjab, SAS Nagar, to submit another affidavit. This affidavit should specifically detail the process that has been initiated and the progress made to date, including the circulation of files across the various branches and departments.

It is important to note that the High Court recently observed that the extensive backlog at the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), which has led to significant delays in trials, highlights a glaring failure on the part of the State in ensuring the 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