Taking cognisance of a low rate of conviction in sexual harassment cases in the Capital, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has issued notice to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) over delay in providing reports.
The commission has sought a detailed response from the FSL pertaining to the pendency of cases since January 2017.
“A few months ago, the DCW had visited FSL in Rohini and given recommendations to address the issues, especially pendency of cases. Till date no action taken report has been submitted by the FSL. In its notice, the commission has sought the latest data [category-wise] pending at FSL along with month wise pendency from January 2017,” said a DCW official.
Additionally, the women’s commission sought information on the status of five new FSLs which are to come up at Rohini, Sheikh Sarai, Sayupur, Bindapur and Rajghat.
Seeking details of the current processing time for each forensic sample, the DCW in its notice to FSL said, “Please provide details of forensic reports provided by FSL since January 2017, including the number of reports which were conclusive and inconclusive.”
‘Trauma to survivors’
DCW chairperson Swati Maliwal said, “Criminal cases get stalled in courts awaiting investigation reports causing immense trauma to survivors. The commission will do everything possible to ensure that survivors of sexual crimes get speedy justice and for that curbing pendency at FSL is imminent.”