Strengthening Justice: MHA Approves State-of-the-Art Forensic Institute for J&K

In a landmark move to modernize the criminal justice system in Northern India, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs officially approved a proposal on December 29, 2025, to establish a world-class forensic science institute in the Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir. Spearheaded by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Jammu, this state-of-the-art facility is designed to address long-standing gaps in investigative infrastructure. By centralizing advanced diagnostic and analytical tools, the institute aims to drastically reduce the pendency of cases and provide law enforcement with the scientific precision required to increase conviction rates across the Union Territory.

The strategic location in Samba is particularly significant given the region’s unique security challenges, including trans-border crimes and narco-terrorism. According to Prof. Shakti Kumar Gupta, Executive Director of AIIMS Jammu, the institute will serve as a “one-point facility” for police, defense, and paramilitary forces. The planned four-story complex will house specialized wings dedicated to Forensic Pathology, DNA Database Management, and Cyber Forensics. These units will be equipped to handle complex biological evidence and digital footprints that were previously outsourced to laboratories outside the region, ensuring a faster and more secure chain of custody for sensitive evidence.

This initiative also marks a major step forward in academic and professional collaboration within the forensic field. Developed in consultation with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the project will bridge the gap between medical science and legal evidence. Beyond its primary role in criminal investigations, the institute will function as a hub for training the next generation of forensic experts and medical professionals in J&K. As the region moves toward adopting the latest criminal law reforms, this Samba-based facility stands as a cornerstone of the government’s commitment to a more transparent, efficient, and scientifically driven justice system.