The Division Bench of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, comprising Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua in the case of Neha Scott v. State of H.P. and others has sought response from the State Government that in what manner, the functioning and quality of the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL), Junga and Range Forensic Science Laboratories Dharamshala & Mandi can be improved.
Reasoning and Decision of the Court
The Learned Amicus Curiae prays for further time to submit report after visiting the laboratories, highlighting the issues regarding irregularities in Forensic Science Laborataries. The Court ask the respondents-State to specify as to
- what is the total number of pendency of samples in all the three laboratories of different divisions/Districts;
- what is the average time taken for giving the report on the samples received from the Investigating Agencies;
- what is the staff strength of the aforesaid laboratories; how many posts are lying vacant, which are required to be filled-up either by direct recruitment or by promotion;
- how many machines in the laboratories are lying out of order, which are required to be repaired and what further machines are required to be procured to expedite the process of sending reports to the Investigating Agencies.
The Court further ordered the Respondent State to specify that how many directions of this Court including the recommendations of Dr. M.S. Rao, the then Director-cum-Chief Forensic Scientist, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi, contained in order of this Court dated 24.09.2018 passed in Cr.MP(M) No.1026 of 2018, have been complied with and what steps are being taken to ensure compliance of the remaining directions.
The Court posted the matter on 30.03.2022 for next hearing.
Case Details
Case: - CWP No.2880 of 2017
Petitioner: - Neha Scott
Respondent: - State of H.P. and others
Judge: Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua
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