To clear pending cases at the Forensic Science
Laboratory Rohini, the Delhi Government has decided to outsource the
work of “document examination” to Hyderabad-based Truth Labs.
The
non-government organisation, which has a branch at Safadarjung Enclave,
is providing legally valid services by accredited experts to
individuals and institutions. The Home Department will be signing a
memorandum of understanding with Truth Labs soon, officials said.
“The
reports of Truth Labs are admissible in court of law. The Economic
Offence Wing of the Delhi Police has been availing their services on a
regular basis. The decision has been vetted by the Law and Finance
Department and the MoU will be signed soon. The Lab is likely to start
working on our cases by next month,” a senior Delhi Government official
said.
While several retired professionals from the
State-run FSL are working with the Truth Labs, officials said an expert
not lower than the rank of director or deputy director will be involved
in document examination related to cases of the Delhi Government. The
State Government will have some discretion in choosing the panel of
“experts who could not work on cases referred from the Rohini FSL”.
“The empanelment will be subject to the Vigilance examination at the time of retirement of the experts,” an official said.
Around 2,100 cases are pending with the document division at the Rohini FSL.
“With
the current workforce, the Truth Labs will be able to clear around 50
cases in a month. In the meanwhile the document division at Rohini will
also continue to dispose cases. We expect to clear the backlog over the
next 18 months,” an official said.