Mohali Forensic Lab to get 3 new units for speedy disposal of POSCO and Crime Against Women cases

Chandigarh: To ensure expeditious disposal of cases related to POCSO Act and crime against the women, the Punjab Cabinet has okayed the creation of 35 posts for setting up of three new units of DNA, Cyber Forensic and Audio/Voice Analysis in the Forensic Science Laboratory, SAS Nagar (Mohali) ,with an annual outlay of Rs. 1.56 crore.
 
Disclosing this here today, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the amended Section 173 of CrPC requires that trial of sexual offences cases should be completed within two months. DNA sampling and testing has also been made mandatory for all cases of sexual offences.
 
To ensure the effective implementation of these mandates, the cabinet, under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, has cleared the proposal of Home Department to strengthen the DNA Unit in the State Forensic Lab by increasing the DNA units from one to two.
 
Also, at present, cases of Cyber Forensic and Audio/Voice Analysis are sent to other scientific laboratories for examination, since there is no facility for their examination in the State Forensic Lab. With the Cabinet nod, one unit each of Cyber Forensic and Audio/Voice Analysis will now be set up in the Forensic Science Lab at SAS Nagar (Mohali).
 
These three new units would involve creation of 35 new posts - from Computer Operators to Assistant Director level, and the annual financial liability for the same works out to Rs.1,55,95,932.
 
Giving the break-up of the posts,  the spokesperson said the Cabinet has approved 17 posts for the DNA unit, including one Assistant Director, four each of Scientific Officers and Scientific Assistants, three Laboratory Assistant, four Laboratory Attendant and one computer operator. It has okayed 12 posts for the Cyber Forensics unit, including one Assistant Director, two each of Scientific Officers and Scientific Assistant, three each of Laboratory Assistants and Laboratory Attendants and a computer operator. The Cabinet has also approved six posts for the Audio/Voice Analysis unit, comprising one Scientific Officer, two Scientific Assistants, one Laboratory Assistant, one Laboratory Attendant and one computer operator.