The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a set of directions to the Government of Punjab and Haryana to ensure prompt reports by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) on incriminating evidence.

Justice Sureshwar Thakur and Justice Sudeepti Sharma said, “All Director Generals of Police of the States of Punjab and Haryana are also directed to issue a standing operational procedure regarding (a) effecting prompt dispatch of incriminating articles/materials to FSLs/RFSLs. in the case, (b) relating to the prompt testing thereof and, (c) thereafter, the same shall be returned to the Court(s) concerned.”

“Furthermore, the Chief Secretaries of the State of Punjab and the State of Haryana are directed to draw up a standard operating procedure for timely tests by the concerned FSLs/RFSLs against incriminating material,” added the Court.

The bench also directed the chief secretaries in the states of Punjab and Haryana to ensure that the posts in the regional centers of FSL, as mentioned in the affidavit, are filled promptly.

Pursuant to the earlier directions of the Court, the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Haryana and the Administrative Secretary of Punjab have submitted the compliance statement as to whether there is sufficient manpower in the FSL.

The court noted that the Punjab government has stated that a proposal has been made for strengthening the existing forensic divisions for efficient and expeditious examination of cases under the NDPS Act at FSL Mohali and also at the three regional forensic testing laboratories at Bathinda, Amritsar and Ludhiana, so through procurement of instruments.

It also mentioned that Haryana has stated in its affidavit that establishment of regional centers of FSL is in progress.

While issuing the directions, the Court also said that the SOP should also include that handling of sealed cloth packets is not done after examination of incriminating material.

“The special steering committee will be established immediately to oversee the application of the standing operating procedures”, he added.

The bench further said states should consider batch training of police officers from the Himachal Pradesh Police Training College, Daroh.

The matter is listed for December 20 to follow directions.

Title: KULDEEP SINGH VS. HARYANA STATE

Click here to read/download the order