Kerala High Court Directs State Government on Central Forensic Lab Setup
The Kerala High Court has issued a significant directive to the state government, demanding comprehensive details regarding the establishment of a Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Thiruvananthapuram. This development follows crucial information presented before the court about central government permission granted for this facility.
Court's Directive on CFSL Establishment
During recent proceedings, the High Court's special bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice C Jayachandran specifically ordered the state government to furnish complete information about any steps taken in response to a communication from the central government dated September 3, 2024. This communication had formally granted permission for establishing a CFSL in Kerala's capital city.
The court's direction emerged from submissions made by the Deputy Solicitor General of India, who informed the bench that the central government had indeed communicated to the state government in 2024, granting explicit permission to establish the forensic laboratory in Kerala. This submission came in response to the court's earlier query about whether such a laboratory could be established within the state.
Background of the Petition
The High Court was hearing a petition filed by the Kerala Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) that highlighted critical deficiencies in forensic science infrastructure across the state. The petition specifically addressed the severe lack of adequate recruitment of scientific assistants in existing forensic science laboratories, which has created substantial case backlogs.
This staffing shortage has particularly impacted cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, along with numerous other criminal matters that require scientific reports and expert evidence for proper adjudication. The absence of sufficient scientific personnel has created serious impediments in the timely disposal of these legally significant cases.
State Government's Response and Court's Observations
During Friday's hearing, the state attorney presented a government order dated March 14 that created 19 additional posts of scientific officers. This allocation included:
- Five positions in the biology section
- Three positions in the chemistry section
- Eleven positions in the documents section
Previously, the state government had indicated that financial concerns had led to deferring decisions on this matter. However, the High Court made clear observations that such deferral was unacceptable, emphasizing that delaying forensic infrastructure improvements would cause serious obstacles in criminal case disposal where scientific evidence proves essential.
The court's firm stance on this urgency directly contributed to the issuance of the government order creating these additional scientific positions, marking a significant step toward addressing the forensic staffing crisis.
Further Directions and Timeline
After examining the government order creating additional posts, the High Court issued further instructions to ensure timely implementation. The bench specifically directed the Kerala State Public Service Commission to undertake necessary follow-up actions as expeditiously as possible, with particular attention to the urgency of the situation.
The court has mandated that the Commission submit an action taken report by the next posting date, ensuring accountability in the recruitment process for these critical scientific positions. The High Court has adjourned the petition to the second week of June, when further developments in this matter will be reviewed.
This comprehensive judicial intervention addresses both immediate staffing concerns through the creation of additional scientific officer positions and long-term infrastructure development through the planned Central Forensic Science Laboratory, representing a dual approach to strengthening Kerala's forensic science capabilities for more effective criminal justice administration.
