A division bench of the Manipur High Court has stated that the state authorities have failed to file an affidavit for improving Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Pangei.
The division bench, comprising chief justice Sanjay Kumar and justice Lanusungkum Jamir of the high court, on April 6, 2022, gave three months to the state authorities to file an affidavit indicating the measures contemplated for improving the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), but the state authorities have failed to do so, the High Court stated.
The court fixed July 7 for the hearing with the direction to the state authorities to file an affidavit indicating the extent of progress made in augmenting the infrastructure and workforce in the FSL, Pangei.
However, the state authorities have not bothered to file an affidavit, in terms of the April 6 order, the HC stated on July 7.
“Investigations and criminal cases are held up in the state of Manipur owing to lack of adequate forensic facilities and there is great need for the state to see that such facilities are enhanced to expedite proceedings,” the HC stated.
The HC opined that the government's attitude in filing affidavits within the given dates leaves a lot to be desired.
As advocate general, Manipur, has sought some more time to file an affidavit, yet again, one last opportunity has been given to the state to indicate in clear terms as to what progress it has achieved since April 2022.
The HC has fixed July 27 for the next hearing and directed the state to do the needful without fail by the date with an advance copy to the counsel opposite.
It may be mentioned that the public interest litigation was filed in 2017, stating the deplorable conditions in which the Manipur Forensic Science Laboratory is functioning.
The FSL is functioning without adequate infrastructure and without inadequate supporting staff. Various other problems have been highlighted in the PIL.
