Modi government is initiating a new scheme that aims to revolutionize India's forensic infrastructure. At a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, the 'National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme' was given the green light, proposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This groundbreaking scheme, set to roll out over the next five years, will see the establishment of forensic universities across the nation, involving a budget exceeding 2,250 crores. Its goal is to augment the infrastructure for forensic investigations, thereby increasing the conviction rate and accelerating justice delivery.
The government's decision comes as three new criminal laws are slated to replace the existing Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC), and Indian Evidence Act, coming into effect from July 1st.
Let's delve into what this entire forensic infrastructure scheme entails, how it will benefit society, and the ways in which it will aid the criminal justice system.
What is this comprehensive scheme all about?
Over the next five years, the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme or NFIES will expand the capacity for forensic investigations with an expected expenditure of over 2,254 crores, entirely funded by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The scheme focuses on three major developments: First, the establishment of National Forensic Science Universities (NFSU) in all 28 states and union territories. Second, the opening of centralized forensic science labs nationwide. And third, the expansion of the existing infrastructure of the NFSU's Delhi campus.
Why was this scheme introduced?
From July 1st, the Indian Penal Code will be replaced by the Indian Justice Code 2023, the Code of Criminal Procedure by the Indian Civil Protection Code 2023, and the Indian Evidence Act by the Indian Evidence Act 2023.
Any crime that warrants a sentence of seven years or more will now require mandatory forensic investigation under the new laws.
Due to this, an increased workload on forensic labs is anticipated. The new scheme seeks to mitigate this by enhancing forensic infrastructure across the country over the next five years.
How will it benefit the system?
Currently, there is a severe shortage of manpower in the forensic science labs (FSLs) across India. The establishment of NFSU and CFSL will bridge this gap.
Moreover, the number of labs dedicated to forensic investigations are insufficient, increasing the workload and the number of pending cases. More labs would mean quicker investigations and faster resolution of court cases.
Furthermore, effective forensic investigations will lead to justified convictions and justice for victims. The government's target is to reach a 90% conviction rate in criminal cases, something unattainable without robust forensic analysis. Essentially, with forensic evidence to back cases, it will become nearly impossible for offenders to evade justice.
What is the state of forensic infrastructure currently?
At present, there are only seven cities with Central Forensic Science Labs (CFSL) in India. These labs, located in Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Bhopal, and Pune, conduct forensic investigations for various states.
In addition to CFSLs, there are State Forensic Science Labs (SFSL) in 32 states and union territories, along with 90 regional forensic science labs and 529 mini or local forensic science labs.
