Cabinet Greenlights Rs 2,254 Crore Scheme To Boost Forensic Infrastructure Nationwide

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme to improve the criminal justice system through scientific and timely forensic examination of evidence. The government allocated Rs 2254.43 crore for campuses, labs, and infrastructure enhancement.

The scheme aims to train 9,000 students in forensic sciences annually. It plans to establish branches of the Gandhinagar-based National Forensic Science University (NFSU) in all 28 states and union territories.

The Union Cabinet noted that the new criminal laws mandate forensic investigation for offences involving punishments of seven years or more, which is expected to increase the workload of forensic science laboratories.

Additionally, the scheme includes the establishment of Central Forensic Science Laboratories nationwide and the enhancement of existing infrastructure at the Delhi Campus of the NFSU.