HC on FSL PIL
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 20 2019: Acting on a PIL filed to upgrade the Forensic Science Laboratory, Pangei, a division bench of the High Court of Manipur has directed all 16 Additional SPs (Prosecution) of the State police to file separate affidavits before February 20 to execute the notices, summons, warrants against accused or witnesses in a time bound manner.

The bench comprising of Chief Justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and Justice MV Muralidaran issued the direction on the PIL filed before the High Court of Manipur.

The PIL was filed by RK Joysana.

The PIL focuses primarily on strengthening the forensic science laboratory, to increase the strength of the staff, to procure latest scientific equipment, to establish DNA profiling unit with latest scientific equipment and qualified experts, to modernise the present forensic science laboratory equipment, to provide mobile vans and to provide adequate power supply to the forensic science laboratory.

A series of order was earlier passed by the High Court in connection with PIL and during the hearing the Court had also come to the knowledge that a sum of Rs 2.355 crore had been released by the Ministry of Home Affairs for strengthening the State Forensic Science Laboratory and this amount was released under the Nirbhaya Fund.

Court also observed that the Director of the Forensic Science Laboratory has also given a cost details for revamping it for a sum of Rs 4.95 crore.

Earlier the same bench directed the State Govt to release the fund for the laboratory which has been released by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Nirbhaya fund so that proposal can be implemented for improving it.

Court also observed that it is bounden duty of the Chief Secretary to ensure that the fund allocated under the Nirbhaya fund is effectively utilized without any further delay.

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