Lucknow, The Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow bench has expressed concern over the shortage of forensic science laboratories in Uttar Pradesh, observing that the existing infrastructure is inadequate considering the state’s size and population.
The court noted that UP has only one state Forensic Science Laboratory and 12 regional forensic laboratories. It also seeks priority for cases involving accused persons in judicial custody and time-bound procedures for cases covered under Section 193 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita which mandates that investigations into specified sexual offences must be completed within two months. A division bench of Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Ram Manohar Narayan Mishra made the observation while hearing a PIL filed by advocate Piyush Gupta. During the hearing, the petitioner referred to data on forensic laboratories across various states cited in the Union Home Ministry’s reply to the Lok Sabha.
