New Delhi, 12 September (H.S.): In a significant step towards strengthening forensic facilities for the scientific investigation of criminal cases in Delhi, the construction of a state-of-the-art Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) at Sheikh Sarai has been approved. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, which also approved a budget of Rs 151.81 crore for the project. The information was provided in a statement issued on Saturday.

According to the statement, the Chief Minister has set a target for the Public Works Department (PWD) to complete construction of the project within two years. The new Regional Forensic Science Laboratory at Sheikh Sarai will be constructed on a plot measuring approximately 6,300 square metres and will have a total built-up area of 18,300 square metres. The building, to be constructed by the PWD, will be developed as an integrated forensic facility designed to meet the specialised requirements of scientific investigation.

The Chief Minister said the new Regional Forensic Science Laboratory would assist the Home Department and the Delhi Police in meeting the requirements arising from the new criminal laws. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam have led to a significant increase in the demand for forensic examination in criminal cases. The new Regional FSL will help meet this growing demand and strengthen the capacity required for the scientific investigation of criminal cases.

She said the new RFSL would also strengthen the scientific support provided by the existing FSL in Rohini. Forensic science is essential not only for the scientific investigation of criminal cases but also for criminal trials and the overall process of delivering justice. The new laboratory will further strengthen the scientific support required for maintaining law and order in the national capital. Its establishment will particularly benefit the districts of South, South-East and Central Delhi.

Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood said that once the new Regional FSL becomes operational, the examination of evidence related to cases and the preparation and submission of forensic reports would become faster and more streamlined. The new facility would strengthen evidence-based investigations and help courts dispose of criminal cases in a timely manner.

The construction of the new Regional Forensic Science Laboratory will strengthen the infrastructure available for scientific investigation in Delhi. In addition to meeting the requirements of the South, South-East and Central Delhi districts, the facility will also help reinforce the scientific support available to the FSL in Rohini.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar