In a significant move to bolster the forensic science infrastructure in Haryana, MoU was signed between the Government of Haryana and the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Gandhinagar. The ceremony took place in Panchkula in the esteemed presence of the Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah. Dignitaries including Union Minister Manohar Lal and Chief Minister of Haryana Shri Nayab Singh were also present.
In his address, Amit Shah emphasized the importance of incorporating scientific methods into the criminal justice system of Haryana. He remarked that three archaic British-era laws had been governing the Indian judicial system, and these have now been replaced with new laws aimed at ensuring speedy justice and inclusivity. A key change introduced is the mandatory involvement of forensic teams for crimes carrying a sentence of seven years or more, which will substantially increase the demand for forensic experts across the country. The NFSU is poised to meet this rising demand by creating skilled human resources.
Amit Shah highlighted that the collaboration with NFSU will significantly aid in the implementation of these new criminal laws. ‘So far, NFSU campuses have been established in nine states, and there are plans to expand to around sixteen states,’ he noted. This expansion is expected to not only produce trained professionals but also accelerate the resolution of crimes and improve conviction rates.
The Union Home Minister underscored the advantages of having a laboratory, university, and training institute within the same campus, simplifying the training process for both instructors and trainees. He announced that if a training institute is established in Haryana, the Government of India would ensure high-quality forensic science training at its own expense.
Furthermore, Amit Shah stated that the Forensic Science University would play a crucial role in educating students, preparing trained manpower, and strengthening the forensic infrastructure. This initiative will benefit police officers at various levels, including Police Sub Inspectors (PSIs), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSPs), and Superintendent of Police (SPs), as well as judges from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing his confidence in the initiative, Shah said, ‘This collaboration will bring transformative changes to the criminal justice system of Haryana in the coming days.’
