The Punjab authorities has refuted its Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Director Dr Ashwani Kalia’s declare earlier than the Punjab and Haryana Excessive Courtroom that “there may be severe price range restraint” in buying tools for 3 Regional Forensic Science Laboratories (RFSLs). The federal government, in an affidavit, stated the submission was made “both out of sheer inadvertence or lack of ample data.”
Filed by Administrative Secretary, Dwelling Division, Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, the affidavit additionally said {that a} present trigger discover had been issued to Kalia for making an incorrect assertion relating to price range constraints in court docket.
Per week earlier, Kalia had advised the HC that monetary constraints had been affecting forensic lab upgrades. The court docket had responded by questioning how the state might cite a scarcity of funds for crime investigation when substantial quantities had been spent elsewhere. It had directed the Punjab authorities to submit particulars of expenditure on ads highlighting its efficiency and on new autos bought for police officers between April 1, 2024, and January 20, 2025.
In its newest submission, the federal government asserted that Kalia’s declare was incorrect as per official data, suggesting he was unaware of the particular monetary state of affairs. It argued that Kalia, because the departmental head, was not authorised to make statements on budgetary allocations, that are decided on the authorities stage.
The affidavit additional contended that price range allocations for forensic labs prior to now three monetary years had constantly exceeded expenditure, leading to surpluses. It said that Punjab had at all times prioritised forensic science and supplied ample funds for its development.
Furthermore, the federal government held Kalia accountable for failing to utilise allotted funds for upgrading forensic lab tools. It stated he had been requested to elucidate why the funds remained unspent over the past three monetary years.
The state has now requested the HC to change or recall its January 21 order.
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