Members of the National Human Rights Commission have raised concerns over the inadequate number of forensic science laboratories in the country that delays evidence gathering, leading to cases pending in courts and undertrial prisoners remaining behind bars.
Speaking to The Hindu on Thursday, NHRC member Jyotika Kalra said if forensic evidence was collected and preserved on time, particularly in sexual assault cases, the case could be resolved sooner. In addition, she highlighted the importance of ballistics.
Country-made weapons
At a recent webinar attended by Union and State government as well as police forces’ representatives, Ms. Kalra said the experts informed the officials that 70% of the weapons used in the country are “country-made” and do not comply with specifications that can be traced.
She said Joint Secretary in the Union Home Ministry Punya Salila Srivastava, who attended the webinar, informed the gathering that the Centre had allocated ₹200 crore out of the Nirbhaya Fund to States to ramp up forensic science infrastructure. Ms. Kalra said the NHRC would follow up on the matter, seeking action-taken reports as needed.
During the webinar on Monday, NHRC member Justice. P.C. Pant had said the Commission had been raising the issue of the number of pending cases at forensic labs, a statement said.
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