Emphasising the need for setting up exclusive DNA test outlets, the Calcutta High Court directed the Central government to open more CFSL centres in West Bengal for expeditious forensic examination during criminal investigations.
“It does not appear that the posts sanctioned may be enough to meet the needs. Every endeavour should be made by the Union to sanction more posts and, if possible, open branches at other parts of the State to ensure the expeditious examination of, inter alia, narcotic substances and material sent in course of criminal investigation. It may also be necessary to set up exclusive DNA test outlets, now that such tests are regularly used in criminal investigations,” the Court said.
The division bench comprising Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Arijit Banerjee issued these directions while hearing a writ petition filed by Rebaka Begum, who claimed that her missing husband, was arrested and she did not have any knowledge about her husband’s detention.
On December 22, the Inspector-in-charge concerned had filed a report in the High Court stating that they had found skeletal remains of a man and the same had been sent to CFSL for testing. On this, the Court directed the Additional Solicitor-General to take immediate appropriate steps to augment the facilities and improve the output at the local CFSL.
Additional Solicitor-General, on behalf of the Union, submitted on Thursday that the sanctioned posts at the local CFSL have almost all been filled up and steps have been taken to fill one or two posts left. He submitted that contractual employees have been engaged to augment staff strength and ensure quicker results.
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The Court while considering the submission of the Union ordered that concerned CFSL should conduct the DNA and other tests as expeditiously as possible and ensure that an appropriate report is filed before the next date of hearing.