New Regional Forensic Laboratory at Sheikh Sarai to be set up with ₹151.80 crore investment; Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood says faster forensic reports will help expedite justice
NEW DELHI: The Delhi Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) has achieved a significant reduction in its pending cases, bringing the backlog down from nearly 27,000 to approximately 5,700 in around one year, marking a reduction of 78.88 per cent.
The improvement has taken place under the leadership and guidance of Delhi Home Minister Shri Ashish Sood, who has overseen a series of measures aimed at strengthening the laboratory’s infrastructure, manpower and operational efficiency.
The reduction in pendency is expected to accelerate forensic investigations, help police complete investigations more quickly and enable courts to proceed with trials without prolonged delays.
New Regional FSL at Sheikh Sarai
As part of the infrastructure expansion, the Delhi Government has approved the establishment of a new Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) at Sheikh Sarai, with a financial outlay of ₹151.80 crore.
The proposed facility is aimed at strengthening evidence-based investigations and reducing the workload on the existing main laboratory at Rohini. It is also expected to expand forensic testing capabilities and improve the timely delivery of scientific reports across the capital.
The government has also proposed new specialised forensic laboratories, alongside major building and structural upgrades to accommodate modern scientific equipment. Advanced machinery, digital equipment and technical tools have been deployed to improve the precision and efficiency of forensic examinations.
Focus on Manpower and Modernisation
The revamp has also placed emphasis on strengthening human resources. Steps have been initiated to fill regular vacancies at different levels to ensure the availability of qualified experts for handling sensitive forensic cases.
The tenure of contractual employees and technical staff has also been extended to maintain continuity in laboratory operations and support the existing workforce.
Highlighting the achievement, Delhi Home Minister Shri Ashish Sood said the 78.88 per cent reduction in pending cases, from 27,000 to around 5,700, was a major step towards ensuring prompt and effective criminal justice delivery in Delhi.
“Our administration is committed to ensuring that science and speed work hand in hand to serve citizens. By rationalising operational requirements and re-appropriating savings into vital public interest initiatives, we are making our institutions both accountable and highly responsive,” he said.
The reduction in pending cases is expected to benefit the wider criminal justice system by facilitating faster scientific examination of evidence, supporting police investigations and reducing delays in court proceedings.
Quicker forensic analysis can also help victims of crime receive timely justice while enabling the laboratory to utilise its resources more efficiently.
