Bengaluru, June 23: Karnataka is at the forefront among states with the most modern and effective forensic investigation systems in the country. The state’s Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories (FSL) has achieved milestones that make the entire nation proud, said Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and e-Governance.
The Minister, who visited the FSL office in Madiwala, Bengaluru, today to conduct a review meeting, praised Karnataka’s FSL for growing into one of the best institutions in the country, known for its scientific accuracy, technical capability, and swift reporting in criminal investigations.
Key Highlights & Achievements:
International Standards: Karnataka FSL has received accreditation from the National Accreditation Board (NABL) and is operating under international quality standards.
National Recognition: The state’s Digital and Mobile Forensic divisions have been granted the status of ‘Examiner of Electronic Evidence’ under the Information Technology Act, which is a remarkable achievement nationally.
Prestigious Award: Karnataka FSL recently won the prestigious D.S.C.I. (Data Security Council of India) Award, given to government organizations, for its excellence in digital forensic capabilities. This stands as a testament to the quality of the state’s investigative system.
Crackdown on Major Cases: The Minister noted that Karnataka FSL received immense national acclaim for establishing the scientific link between the high-profile murder cases of Gauri Lankesh, M.M. Kalburgi, Narendra Dabholkar, and Govind Pansare through advanced forensic analysis.
New Initiatives and Future Plans:
Wildlife Forensic Unit:
For the first time in the state, all preparations have been completed to establish a “Wildlife Forensic Unit,” which will become operational shortly. This unit will greatly assist in investigating wildlife crimes and illegal smuggling cases.
Staff Recruitment: The government will prioritize filling the current vacancies at FSL. The Minister assured that immediate steps would be taken to recruit necessary staff, including Scientific Officers.
Drastic Reduction in Pendency: Minister Priyank Kharge lauded the department for its efficiency. Despite an increase in the number of cases over the last few years, the strategic use of technology and enhanced performance has successfully brought down the report turnaround time from 40 months to just 1 to 4 months in several divisions.
The Minister reiterated that the Government of Karnataka is fully committed to further strengthening the forensic system to ensure accuracy, speed, and transparency in criminal investigations, making it a model for the entire country.
The review meeting was attended by DGP Dr. M.A. Saleem, ADGP P. Harishekaran, FSL Director Divya Gopinath, and other senior officials.
