India Enters New Era of Justice with Focus on Forensics: Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar –

Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar, said that with the introduction of three new criminal laws, India is entering a new era of justice where scientific evidence and forensic expertise are pivotal to ensuring transparency, speed, and accuracy in investigations. He was addressing the valedictory session of Meet of the Directors of Central and State Forensic Science Laboratories concluded at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Chandigarh on Saturday.

The Minister said that the Government of India is fully committed to establishing modern forensic laboratories in every district. He said that under the recently approved National Forensic Infrastructure Scheme (NAFIS), an amount of ₹ 2,254.40 crore will be invested to build and upgrade forensic facilities, train personnel, enhance research, and develop indigenous technology to make India self-reliant in forensic science. He said that the government aim to ensure mandatory forensic investigation in all crimes involving punishment of more than seven years, and align the criminal justice system with technology-driven evidence collection and analysis.

The Minister said that the four pillars of this transformation will be infrastructure development, Skilled human resources, Technological upgradation (AI, machine learning, national data networks) and standardization through SOPs and integration with systems like ICGS and CCTNS.