Forensic Science Key to Timely Justice and Safer Society: HM Amit Shah

New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah addressed the All India Forensic Science Summit 2025, organized by the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in New Delhi. The event focused on the theme “Role of Forensic Science in Effective Implementation of New Criminal Laws and Combating Terrorism.”

In his keynote speech, Amit Shah underscored Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s transformative vision for India’s criminal justice system. He said the integration of forensic science is imperative to ensure timely justice and curb modern, borderless crimes. “In the coming decade, India will record the highest conviction rate in the world,” Shah asserted, highlighting the role of forensic science in strengthening judicial processes.

The Home Minister noted that seven campuses of NFSU have been established across India, and nine more will be operational within the next six months. Plans are underway to expand the university’s footprint further, with the goal of ensuring at least one NFSU campus in every state. Each campus will specialize in one forensic domain, making them globally competitive centers of excellence.

Referring to historical Indian texts such as the Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Arthashastra, Shah emphasized that the roots of forensic science trace back to ancient Indian knowledge systems.

Lauding the launch of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), Shah called these laws the most significant legal reforms of the 21st century. He said the new laws, crafted by Indians for Indians, enable the use of cutting-edge technologies—such as e-documents, e-summons, and forensic video evidence—within the judicial process.

Shah shared that forensic investigation has been made mandatory for all cases carrying a punishment of more than seven years. He cited examples of rapid convictions in rape and triple murder cases achieved through the use of forensic evidence.

Currently, India’s conviction rate stands at 54 percent. Shah expressed confidence that this figure will rise rapidly with the adoption of modern forensic tools. The government is also digitizing the justice ecosystem—14 crore FIRs, 22,000 courts with e-facilities, and over 39 lakh forensic evidences are already available online. Fingerprints of over 1.5 crore accused are stored in the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS).

Highlighting future plans, Shah said the Ministry of Home Affairs is working on agreements that will allow private forensic labs to assist government FSLs. Emerging forensic fields such as drone forensics, marine forensics, and corporate forensics are being developed, with NFSU already hosting 240 international students.

He emphasized the importance of psychological counseling and categorization of offenders for effective prisoner rehabilitation, stating that a forensic science-based framework for this purpose is under development.

Shah concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to a crime-free society through scientific innovation and recognized young achievers in forensic hackathons during the summit.