In a significant move to strengthen scientific criminal investigations, the Delhi Government has approved the construction of a Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) at Sheikh Sarai with a budget of ₹151.81 crore. The decision comes at a time when more than 20,000 forensic reports remain pending at Delhi’s only existing Forensic Science Laboratory in Rohini, highlighting the growing pressure on the city’s forensic infrastructure.
The project was cleared by the Expenditure
Finance Committee (EFC) chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The Public Works Department has been directed to complete the facility within two years, with the laboratory expected to become operational by 2028. The RFSL will be developed on a 6,300 sq. m. site and will feature modern forensic examination facilities designed to accelerate evidence analysis and report generation.
Why the new laboratory is needed
Delhi’s Rohini FSL currently receives nearly 2,000 cases every month, resulting in substantial delays—particularly in cybercrime and biological evidence examinations. Such delays can have serious consequences, as biological samples including blood, saliva, and hair may deteriorate over time, potentially affecting the quality of forensic analysis and delaying justice for victims as well as the accused.
The demand for forensic services has also increased following the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), all of which place greater emphasis on scientific investigation and forensic evidence in criminal cases.
Expected impact
The Sheikh Sarai Regional FSL will primarily serve South Delhi, South-East Delhi, and Central Delhi, reducing the burden on the Rohini laboratory and bringing forensic services closer to investigators in these districts. Officials say the facility will enable faster examination of evidence, improve the efficiency of police investigations, and contribute to quicker disposal of criminal cases through timely forensic report