Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

Forensic Probe to be Mandatory for Offences Attracting 6 yrs or More in Jail: Amit Shah

The Home Minister called for the establishment of an independent Directorate of Prosecution and an independent Directorate of Forensic Science in each state/UT.
June 28, 2022
Amit Shah

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah, said on June 26 that the government planned to make forensic investigation compulsory in all cases where the offence carries a sentence of six years or more, through changes in the relevant law.

“The Narendra Modi government is… working towards making forensic investigation mandatory in all cases of offences punishable with imprisonment for more than 6 years,” Shah said.

He was addressing the Parliamentary Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs on the topic “Forensic Science Capabilities: Strengthening for Time-bound and Scientific Investigation” in Kevadia, Gujarat.

According to the MHA, Shah called for the establishment of an independent Directorate of Prosecution and an independent Directorate of Forensic Science in each State/UT through proposed comprehensive amendments to the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the Indian Evidence Act.

Shah stressed the need for investigative agencies to be one step ahead of criminals in the use of technology and said the central government, together with state governments, was working on an approach to three components to improve police investigations, prosecutions and forensics.

He said now is the time to focus on technology and evidence-based investigations to achieve the target conviction rate, which has been set at 90%.

According to the MHA, Shah “informed the members that the central government is providing funds to strengthen the forensic infrastructure across the country, including setting up of Mobile Forensic Science Units in each district, and these units will serve at least three blocks in a district”. He said steps are also being taken to standardize forensic equipment, instrument calibration, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in all FSLs in the country for high-quality forensic results.