Forensic investigation made mandatory in Delhi in offences that attract 6-year jail term

Union home minister Amit Shah on Tuesday directed Delhi Police to make forensic investigation mandatory in all crimes involving punishment of more than six years to increase the conviction rate and to integrate the criminal justice system with forensic science investigation. Later in the evening, Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora issued orders making it compulsory for collection of forensic evidence in offences where punishment is more than six years.

The home minister said that in serious offences, charge sheets should be filed by the police only after legal vetting. He also told police officers that a detailed action plan has been prepared to crack down on narcotics in Delhi. "A strategy has been chalked out to crack down on multistate criminal gangs operating in Delhi and NCR (National Capital Region) and adjoining states,” Shah said.

On the safety of women, children and senior citizens, Shah directed the police to speed up efforts to provide them a safe environment with a more professional and sensitive approach.