By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi
New Delhi: Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood inspected the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Delhi, and reviewed its scientific infrastructure, forensic investigation facilities and overall functioning, applauding a 72 per cent reduction in pending cases.
Sood said timely forensic investigation was vital not only to reduce delays in trials but also to ensure speedy justice to citizens. He said the FSL was being continuously modernised and strengthened under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
According to Sood, the laboratory has enhanced manpower, modern scientific methodologies, a state-of-the-art building and advanced laboratory facilities. In 2025, 247 scientific personnel were recruited on a contractual basis to strengthen examination and reporting, while an initiative was launched to engage 90 M.Sc.-qualified interns at a monthly stipend of ₹30,000.
The Home Minister said essential machinery, scientific equipment, cyber workstations and other forensic consumables had been procured on priority. Six mobile forensic vans have also been operationalised for forensic teams across different ranges.
He said forensic experts have been deployed across all six ranges and 15 districts of Delhi Police in line with the new criminal laws to provide prompt scientific assistance at crime scenes.
FSL has also introduced e-Reporting through the e-Forensic 2.0 (ICJS) portal, while 25 video-conferencing facilities are operational for recording evidence before courts online. “iGOT Karmayogi has also been implemented at FSL, Delhi,” Sood said.
The laboratory’s NABL accreditation has been extended for four years, while its ILAC-MRA recognition has been extended for one year.
Sood highlighted that pending cases at FSL declined sharply from 27,585 in June 2025 to 7,178 by July 31, 2026. During the past 12 months, the laboratory disposed of 3,49,519 exhibits. Pendency in POCSO cases has also been reduced, with reports in POCSO and NDPS cases currently being provided within 15 working days.
The Home Minister credited improved human-resource management, flexible working hours, weekend operations, transportation and security arrangements, staff rotation, stronger inter-division coordination and streamlined workflows for the reduction.
Since November 2025, FSL has been examining and disposing of more than 3,000 cases every month, which the press note described as possibly among the highest monthly disposal rates achieved by a forensic laboratory in the country.
Sood appreciated the sustained efforts of FSL in expanding scientific manpower, modernising facilities, deploying mobile forensic vans, strengthening crime-scene assistance and adopting digital platforms.
“Scientific investigation is the backbone of an effective criminal justice system,” Sood said, stressing that timely forensic investigation is essential for reducing trial delays and ensuring speedy justice.
He assured the laboratory of the Delhi Government’s full support and necessary resources for its further modernisation and strengthening.
