Delhi has approved a ₹151.80-crore regional forensic science laboratory at Sheikh Sarai to expand the capital’s forensic testing capacity and reduce the workload at the main facility in Rohini, Home Minister Ashish Sood said in a press statement on Thursday.
The new Delhi forensic lab will function as an auxiliary facility to the existing Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Its approval comes as the city continues efforts to reduce delays in the examination of evidence submitted for criminal investigations.
According to the statement, around 27,000 cases had been pending for examination and testing at the FSL a year ago. The backlog has since fallen to 5,700 cases, representing a reduction of 78.88 per cent. The government attributed the decline to administrative and operational improvements at the laboratory.
The Sheikh Sarai facility is expected to reduce pressure on the Rohini-based main FSL once it becomes operational. The government has also said it is working to increase forensic capacity through new specialised laboratories and the modernisation of existing infrastructure.
The planned improvements include greater availability of scientific equipment, advanced machinery and digital technology. The administration is also focusing on strengthening human resources, including initiatives to fill regular posts and vacancies at different levels so that specialised staff are available for sensitive investigations.
The government has additionally extended the tenure of contractual employees and technical staff to maintain continuity in laboratory operations. The statement did not provide an operational start date for the Sheikh Sarai laboratory, details of its proposed specialisations or a construction schedule.
Forensic reports are used by police during criminal investigations and by courts when assessing scientific evidence. The Delhi government said faster reporting would help investigators complete cases and reduce waiting time during court proceedings. It also said timely forensic analysis could help reduce avoidable delays in trials and support the process of delivering justice to crime victims.
The approval adds a new facility to Delhi’s forensic infrastructure, while the reduction in the existing backlog and the future implementation schedule remain key milestones for assessing the impact of the decision.
