Key Highlights:

• The Punjab and Haryana High Court is alarmed by the delays in examining forensic evidence in criminal cases.
• Three-member committees will be formed to investigate the functioning of Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
• Justice Manjari Nehru Kaul highlighted a case under the NDPS Act where the Madhuban FSL took six months for chemical examination despite being labeled as a “priority case.”
• The delay in FSL reports is a recurring problem in the region.
• FSL reports play a pivotal role in criminal cases, especially those involving contraband, and delays impede investigations and prolong trials.
• The Court deemed it necessary to form committees to identify administrative and technical causes of delays and recommend measures to streamline the process.
• The Advocates General of Haryana and Punjab are directed to submit names of senior IAS and IPS officers for the committees.
• The Court cancelled default bail of an accused in an NDPS case who allegedly operated a drug de-addiction center illegally.
• The accused concealed facts and manipulated legal proceedings.
• The Court found the accused’s involvement in illicit drug distribution reprehensible and a risk to society.
• The accused was directed to surrender before the trial court on March 7.
• Advocates Raktim Gogoi, Kunal Sharma, and S Vinod represented the accused, Vinit Yadav.
• Deputy Advocate General Chetan Sharma represented the State of Haryana.