Sri Vijaya Puram, May 15: In a significant step towards modernizing forensic infrastructure and enhancing scientific support for law enforcement, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Admiral D. K. Joshi (PVSM, AVSM, YSM, NM, VSM) (Retd.), officially flagged off three State-Of-The-Art Mobile Forensic Vans today.
The ceremony was held in the presence of Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary, A&N Islands; Shri. Hargobinder Singh Dhaliwal, IPS, Director General of Police, Smt Sindhu Pillai, IPS, IGP(L&O/Intl) and other senior officials and dignitaries from A&N Administration and Police.
In his welcome address, the Director General of Police, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, stated that these fully-equipped Mobile Forensic Vans, procured from the National Forensic Science University (NFSU), Gandhinagar have been introduced to support the effective implementation of the three newly enacted criminal laws. He emphasized that their induction marks a major milestone in strengthening forensic capabilities across the Union Territory, enabling investigations that are faster, more accurate, and grounded in scientific evidence. He also acknowledged the vital support of the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and civil administration in advancing forensic services across the Islands.
A detailed presentation was delivered by Dr. Devinder Kumar, Assistant Director, FSL, highlighting the key features and operational capabilities of the newly inducted Mobile Forensic Vans. Each van is equipped with an integrated suite of basic and advanced forensic kits, digital tools, and field instrumentation designed for on-site collection and preservation of biological, chemical, and physical evidence. These include trace materials, bodily fluids, narcotics, fibers, fingerprints, and other critical substances. Dr. Kumar also informed the upcoming establishment of DNA Profiling and Cyber Forensic facilities at the new FSL building, which will significantly expand the scope of forensic services in the Islands.
The Mobile Forensic Vans are aligned with the vision of the new criminal justice framework and are expected to:
-Enhance the scientific rigor of criminal investigations
-Strengthen the quality and reliability of evidence presented in court
-Accelerate justice delivery in a transparent and fair manner
Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor formally dedicated the Mobile Forensic Vans to the law enforcement agencies of the UT, affirming their critical role in ensuring efficient investigation and the timely delivery of justice in line with the rule of law.
The ceremony concluded with a Vote of Thanks delivered by Shri Jitendra Kumar Meena, IPS, Senior Superintendent of Police (CID), who expressed gratitude to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor and all dignitaries for their continued support in strengthening the forensic ecosystem in the Union Territory.
These developments mark a transformative chapter in the evolution of forensic science services in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to scientific, timely, and transparent delivery of justice.