Kerala High Court Directs State Government to Address Forensic Lab Staffing Crisis
The Kerala High Court has taken a firm stance on the critical shortage of scientific officers in the state's forensic science laboratory (FSL). A bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice C Jayachandran has mandated the state government to file a comprehensive affidavit detailing the progress and necessity of creating 19 additional scientific officer positions.
Petition Highlights Systemic Delays in Criminal Justice
The court's directive came during the hearing of a petition submitted by the Kerala Legal Services Authority (KeLSA). The petition underscored the severe inadequacy of scientific officers in the FSL, which is hampering the entire criminal justice process. Initially, the State Police Chief had proposed the creation of 31 new posts, including eight for biology, seven for chemistry, and sixteen for documents examination.
As an interim measure, 12 posts of scientific officer were established. The Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) confirmed in an affidavit that advice had been issued for filling these 12 vacancies. However, the PSC admitted it could not verify whether the selected candidates had actually assumed their duties and requested additional time to provide these details through a supplementary affidavit.
Court Warns of Grave Consequences from Staff Shortages
The High Court expressed deep concern over the remaining 19 pending posts, emphasizing that the administration must recognize the urgency of the situation. The bench observed that without timely creation of these positions, numerous criminal trials cannot even begin. In many instances, police are unable to file final reports due to the absence of crucial FSL reports, and judicial officers are consequently prevented from framing charges.
This bottleneck has led to significant delays in the disposal of criminal cases, undermining the efficiency and fairness of the justice system. The court firmly stated that the state has a fundamental duty and responsibility to ensure all necessary infrastructure is in place for the proper and smooth functioning of the criminal justice mechanism.
Exploring Alternative Solutions to Expedite Forensic Work
In a proactive move, the High Court also urged the State Attorney to investigate whether any central forensic science laboratory is operational within Kerala and if its services could be leveraged to accelerate forensic examinations. The non-availability of FSL reports is stalling multiple court proceedings, and utilizing central facilities might offer a temporary respite.
Additionally, the court has issued a notice to the Deputy Solicitor General regarding this matter. The petition has been adjourned to March 10 for further hearing, allowing time for the state government to respond and for the PSC to furnish the required details on the filled positions.
The High Court's intervention highlights a pressing issue in Kerala's forensic infrastructure, stressing that timely staffing is not merely an administrative concern but a cornerstone of judicial efficacy and public trust in the legal system.
