Chandigarh: Keeping in mind the delay forensic laboratories preparing reports due to poor infrastructure, lack of manpower and funds, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed Punjab and Haryana to go for a complete renovation of its laboratories.
This includes the establishment of independent directorates, modernization of the evidence collection process, implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), improved work norms, personnel norms and budgetary issues.

While issuing the directions, the HC observed that a timely and rigorous response will ease the burden on courts, reduce overcrowding in jails, conserve public resources and restore public confidence in a system where justice, though sometimes delayed, does not will be refused.
“Let this directive mark the dawn of an era when every individual, irrespective of circumstances, can be sure that the wheels of justice will turn both speedily and fairly,” the HC observed.
Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul passed these orders while taking personal cognizance of the massive delay in chemical examination by FSL in Punjab and Haryana.
On February 29, the HC constituted committees comprising three IAS and three IPS officers from Punjab and Haryana.
These committees were entrusted with the responsibility of identifying the administrative and technical causes underlying the delays in the preparation and dispatch of the FSL report. On July 15, the commission’s reports highlighted that every stage of the process in the FSL is hampered by inefficiencies, from inadequate infrastructure and administrative apathy to significant staff shortages and financial mismanagement.
An additional concern raised by the committee for SOPs, policies or guidelines for operations and quality standards for FSL. It was also found that several laboratories in Punjab did not follow the mandatory barcode sticker protocol for preparing its reports, indicating a serious lack of oversight and accountability in critical forensic operations.
The HC has now issued directions for complete modernization of FSLs in both the states based on the recommendations of the report.

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