A laudable move

Assam Cabinet's decision to open four new Forensic laboratories is indeed laudable. Expeditious implementation of the decision will go a long way in improving the criminal justice delivery system in the state. The shortage of workforce at the lone functional forensic laboratory of the State government located at Kahilipara in Guwahati has led to the accumulation of crime-related cases pending laboratory reports. Delay in the filing of the charge sheet on account of the non-availability of the forensic reports hampers speedy trial. The accused is entitled to a grant of default bail if the charge sheet is not filed within 90 days/60 days depending on the nature of the crime. The charge sheet is to be filed within 90 days, where the investigation relates to an offence punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term of not less than ten years, and within 60 days where the investigation relates to any other offence. The rising crime graph in the state has prompted the Assam Police to intensify crackdown against criminals in the state. The prompt action by the police has led to the cracking of many cases of heinous crimes such as rape, murder, and arrest of the accused in recent months. Crackdown against illicit drug trafficking had led to the recovery of huge quantities of drugs and arrest of drug pedlars and mafia ever since the new government assumed office. The evidence gathered, consignments seized are sent for forensic examinations by scientists and submission. Reports on the findings of forensic examinations are vital in framing the charges against the accused and also in the establishment of charges in the court. A second forensic laboratory was set up in a rented building Jorhat in 2013 by the Directorate of Forensic Science but it never became functional. The decision to set up the laboratory at Jorhat was taken in 2012 to expedite the rate of examination and disposal of cases in Jorhat, Golaghat, Sivasagar, Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, Lakhimpur and Dhemaji so that pressure on the laboratory at the directorate could be eased. Lax security and inadequate infrastructure were cited as reasons behind Jorhat laboratory remaining non-functional. In 2018, the Supreme Court imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on Assam and six other states for defaulting in providing information to the Central government on vacant posts at the state forensic laboratory. This also speaks volume about the indifference of the previous governments to improve forensic science despite the lack of which led to piling up of thousands of criminal cases for want of laboratory reports. The State Cabinet has decided to set up the new forensic laboratories at Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh, Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Tezpur Medical College and Hospital and Bongaigaon Civil Hospital. Lessons must be learnt from deficiencies in the existing forensic laboratory under the state directorate and its various divisions so that new laboratories are equipped with adequate human resource and state-of-the-art equipment that is needed for quick laboratory investigation and dissemination of reports. Rising cyber crimes call for upgrading the digital forensic unit at the state laboratory and setting up a fully equipped unit in each of the new laboratories for efficient handling of the evidence found in digital devices. Any mismatch between infrastructure created and the required number of trained and specialised forensic scientists will pose a stumbling block in achieving objectives behind strengthening forensic services in the state. A primary reason behind the rise in the crime graph is the accused not being convicted due to delay in submission of charge sheet and trial. Criminals getting out of jail for the failure of the state to complete an investigation and file a charge sheet within the mandatory period encourages other criminals to indulge in similar crimes. District forensic mobile units set up in 25 districts based on a recommendation by the National Human Rights Commission in the state earlier proved a failure, but the revival of the mobile units can go a long way in enhancing investigation and strengthening the existing and proposed laboratory functioning. Promoting forensic science among students to pursue a rewarding career will help to groom a strong team of dedicated scientists. Young professionals will help infuse the forensic laboratories with a dynamism that will be in sync with a trained team of crime investigators of Assam Police personnel. A high degree of professionalism in police and forensic directorate will be able to deliver only if they are equipped with modern gadgets and the ecosystem to sharpen their professional skills. Assam Police officials and personnel have displayed professional zeal in solving the criminal cases, collecting vital evidence but their enthusiasm is overshadowed by the delay in submission of charge sheet owning pending reports forensic examinations. Viewed from this perspective, the move to set up the new forensic laboratories is a significant step towards ensuring that justice is not delayed to the victims of crimes and every criminal is brought to book and meted out exemplary punishment.