Apex Court Stresses Speedy DNA Tests Under POCSO Act

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Assam is far from meeting the standard set by the Supreme Court of India on establishing designated forensic science laboratories for DNA test for quick disposal of cases registered under the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act.

The apex court advised all States of the country to set up designated forensic science laboratories (FSLs), one in each district, for DNA tests so as not to allow any delay in providing reports relating to cases registered under the POCSO Act.

The only Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) set up in 2014 in Jorhat has since been non-functional, let alone the State meeting the an-FSL-a-district standard set by the Supreme Court of India. The fate of the regional FSL is such that all its 15 officials, including officers, have been working at the Directorate of Forensic Science at Kahilipara in Guwahati.

According to a source in the Forensic Science Laboratory, the administrative approval has been given for the construction of a building of the Regional FSL in Jorhat in February this year, besides sanctioning around Rs 10 crore for the purpose.

The source has further said that the Directorate of Forensic Science has sent a proposal to the State government for the setting up of a forensic science laboratory each in the Barak Valley and West Assam, either in Kokrajhar or Bogaigaon.

The source says that an FSL in each district appears to be an impossible proposition in Assam. “Apart from the regional FSL in Jorhat, if an FSL each comes up in the Barak Valley and West Assam, justice can be done to cases under the POCSO Act in the State,” the source said.

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