SHILLONG, June 29: The High Court of Meghalaya has requested the Directorate of Central Forensic Science Services, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratory, Meghalaya, to examine the feasibility of establishing an independent Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Meghalaya.
The request came from a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh, after the court had registered a suo motu PIL pursuant to the directions issued by the apex court in its order dated 11th May, 2026.
The High Court of Meghalaya is concerned essentially with two issues: (i) adequacy of FSL infrastructure and facilities in Meghalaya and timely submission of FSL reports in criminal cases; and (ii) the existing mechanism for uploading and sharing status reports in criminal cases, including the feasibility of developing a digital police portal to ensure their timely availability prior to the scheduled hearings.
Considering the matter, the court deemed it appropriate to direct the Registry to implead the Directorate of Central Forensic Science Services and the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratory, Meghalaya as party respondents.
The Additional Advocate General sought time to file an affidavit-in-reply and time was granted.
The court requested both the newly-added respondents to examine the feasibility of establishing an independent FSL in Meghalaya.
The court deemed it appropriate to appoint K Ch. Gautam as Amicus Curiae to assist in the PIL.
