Concerned over handling of samples sent for forensic examination, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday asked the Delhi Police to inform it about the manner of storage of samples immediately upon collection from the crime scene and during the period before they are received at the police station.
A bench headed by Justice B. D. Ahmed also directed the police to file an affidavit indicating the “manner in which DNA or biological specimen are stored in police station or malkhana prior to sending to forensic science labs (FSL)”.
The court was hearing a matter of women safety, which it had taken up suo motu post the December 16 gangrape case.
The court was also concerned about the handling of samples by the police and at the forensic laboratories.
With regard to the backlog of analysis of samples and forensic science report, the AAP government informed the court that the backlog has been reduced from 9,126 in May, 2016 to 8,351 in July, 2016, and the same will be cleared within 11 months.
The court, however, remarked that the government has not taken into account the current inflow of cases and while it will clear the backlog, fresh cases will also need to be handled.
The government said it is considering roping in other accredited labs.
The standing counsel for the Delhi government also gave a letter to the bench, which referred to the Centre purportedly taking over the FSLs and requested the court to stop the same.
Meanwhile, advocate Meera Bhatia, an amicus in the case, submitted a list of incidents of rape that have happened from January to August 8, 2016 and demanded that the victims in all such cases be provided compensation as per the law.
The bench asked DSLSA to see if the victims have been compensated and if not, they be given compensation under the Delhi Victims Compensation Scheme.
At this, the AAP government told the court that the new victim compensation scheme has been sent by the Lieutenant-Governor to the Ministry of Home Affairs and is pending with the Centre.
The court directed the counsel for the Centre to file an affidavit with regard to the said proposal.
