On January 27, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated 21 mobile forensic vans across Maharashtra, making the state the first in the country to implement such a programme. The total number of such mobile labs have now reached 59.
In Mumbai, the vans have been deployed in Chembur, Bandra, Kandivali, Byculla, and Nagpada. Additionally, a van has been stationed at the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Railway Stations Central Division.
In Mumbai’s neighbouring areas, the vans have been stationed at Navi Mumbai (three), Nagpur (five), Thane, Mira-Bhayandar, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Solapur, and Nashik (one each), among other cities.
The sub-divisional offices in Jalgaon, Palghar, Alibaug, Ratnagiri, Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, and other districts have also received the vans.
Previously, criminal investigations relied heavily on eyewitness accounts and primary evidence. Limited DNA analysis and restricted forensic facilities often slowed down investigations. With advanced mobile forensic vans, it is now possible to gather biochemical, chemical, biological, physical, and digital evidence directly from crime scenes.
These mobile labs enable rapid collection of evidence, allowing investigative teams to complete tasks much faster.
Under the Directorate of Assistant Scientific Laboratories, Mumbai, mobile vans have collected 1,555 pieces of evidence from various crimes.
Of these, 112 pieces of evidence have been gathered at Amravati, 71 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 32 in Kolhapur, 781 in Nagpur, 29 in Nanded, 817 in Nashik, and 35 in Pune. Overall, 3,432 pieces of evidence have been collected across the state, aiding crime resolution.
Equipped with modern technology, the forensic vans have brought transparency and speed to evidence collection, enhancing the efficiency of criminal investigations. The project is being successfully implemented under the guidance of Sanjay Kumar Verma, Director General (Judicial and Technical), and Dr Vijay Thakre, Director of the Directorate of Assistant Scientific Laboratories.
