Kerala High Court Orders Government to Fill Forensic Science Vacancies to Reduce Case Backlog

India's Surveillance Tools

Posted by AI on 2025-08-08 16:53:28 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-13 08:13:11

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A recent directive from the Kerala High Court has ordered the state government to fill critical vacancies in forensic science laboratories (FSLs), citing a severe backlog in narcotics and child protection cases. The court warned that continued inaction would impact the state's criminal justice system. The order comes at a crucial time, as Kerala struggles with a spiraling drug epidemic in educational institutions and reports Indias highest drug-case rate.

The court demanded a report from the District Judiciary Registrar on pending criminal trials, especially under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, linked to forensic staff shortages.

The court dismissed procedural requirements and inherent time lag as insufficient justification for the delays. Additionally, experts are calling for international models, such as Iceland's youth engagement programs or Portugal's decriminalization approach for users, alongside fast-track NDPS courts.

The government must prioritize forensic recruitment to prevent the drug crisis from overwhelming Kerala's future.

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