The Delhi government has approved a ₹151.81 crore regional forensic science laboratory at Sheikh Sarai, with the facility expected to reduce pressure on the existing Rohini laboratory and speed up scientific examination of evidence in criminal cases.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the Expenditure Finance Committee chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The laboratory will be built by the Public Works Department on about 6,300 square metres of land and is scheduled to be completed within two years, according to information provided by officials.
The proposed facility will have a built-up area of approximately 18,300 square metres. The government has described it as an integrated forensic facility intended to handle specialised requirements related to the scientific examination of evidence collected during criminal investigations.
The Sheikh Sarai laboratory is expected to primarily serve police personnel and investigating agencies from South Delhi, South-East Delhi and Central Delhi. At present, the Rohini Forensic Science Laboratory handles forensic work for the capital, and officials said the new facility would help reduce its workload.
The project comes as forensic examination assumes a larger role under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the new criminal laws had increased the need for forensic investigation in criminal cases and that the new laboratory would help Delhi Police and the Home Department respond to this demand.
Forensic examination is used to establish links between suspects, victims and crime scenes and to provide scientific evidence for use during criminal trials. The government said strengthening this infrastructure would support evidence-based investigation and give the judicial process a stronger scientific foundation.
Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood said the new facility would help accelerate evidence examination and the preparation of forensic reports. He said the laboratory would make investigations more efficient and could contribute to the timely disposal of criminal cases in courts.
The Chief Minister’s Office said the project would expand Delhi’s forensic capacity, increase the ability of investigating agencies to process evidence and provide faster access to specialised forensic services. It also said the new facility would particularly benefit the three Delhi districts identified for coverage while easing the operational burden on the Rohini laboratory.
The approved construction timeline is two years. The next implementation steps will involve the Public Works Department taking forward the construction of the Sheikh Sarai facility under the approved project cost.
