25 September,2026 11:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Vinod Kumar Menon
Dr Vijay Thakare, director of the Directorate of State Forensic Science Laboratory, at work. Pic/By Special Arrangement
With an aim to reduce the pendency of court cases involving digital evidence and help expedite criminal trials, the Maharashtra government has sanctioned 220 contractual posts, according to a government resolution (GR) issued on September 22, for the Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories (DFSL), which is grappling with nearly 40,000 pending cyber and TASI (Tape Authentication and Speaker Identification) cases.
As forensic reports can be crucial to such criminal proceedings, clearing the backlog is expected to help investigating agencies and courts receive reports faster, removing one potential source of delay in trials already burdened by a huge caseload.
Cyber and TASI Laboratory. Pic/ Special Arrangement
The government cited the rising caseload and pendency before the Computer Crime Division for sanctioning additional manpower. The division handles cyber- and TASI-related forensic work, with the new staff tasked mainly with clearing the backlog and expediting reports to investigators and courts.
The proposal was initiated by the DFSL and approved by the High-Powered Committee on August 12, 2026, followed by Finance Department proceedings on September 3, followed by the Home Department's GR on September 22.
The GR provides for 130 scientific officers and 90 scientific assistants for three years. The appointments will be made on a contractual or outsourced basis.
The 130 scientific officers, classified as Group-B, will receive a consolidated monthly remuneration of Rs 45,000, while the 90 scientific assistants, Group-C, will receive Rs 35,000 a month.
Dr Vijay Thakare, director, Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories, Maharashtra, said the scale of the backlog had made additional manpower necessary.
Dr Vijay Thakare, Director, Directorate of State Forensic Science Laboratory, in the Cyber Forensic and TAPSI Lab within the State. Pic/ Special Arrangement
"On average, we receive around 1000 cases (Cyber and TASI) for analysis, and we already have a pendency of approximately 40,000 cases (Cyber and TASI). The additional personnel are expected to join soon and focus on clearing the backlog and ensuring cyber and TSAI forensic reports reach investigating agencies and courts without avoidable delays," he said.
Thakare added that the department had conducted the Forensic Aptitude and Calibre Test (FACT) and FACT Plus Tier examinations a few months ago and was awaiting the government's recruitment decision. The candidates were required to be domiciled in Maharashtra and know Marathi.
The GR says the 220 personnel will be deployed on a target-based basis, with their performance and contribution to reducing pendency reviewed periodically.
"Our first preference is to recruit students who have cleared these examinations. If we fall short, we will hire those who have previously worked with us on a contractual basis. Our focus is to clear the pendency within the next three years. Moreover, all eight FSL laboratories are undergoing NABL certification, while the Mumbai Cyber Forensic Laboratory has already obtained 79A cyber certification, making it one of the few forensic laboratories in the country with such accreditation," he said.
The three-year recruitment is, therefore, intended not simply to fill vacancies, but to create measurable progress in clearing the forensic backlog. With thousands of cases awaiting examination of digital and electronic evidence, the effectiveness of the move will ultimately depend on how quickly the additional manpower translates into reports reaching investigators and courts," said the director.
The workload handled by the Computer Crime Division and TASI units extends beyond conventional cyber-fraud cases.
While Maharashtra Cyber handles investigations into cyber offences, forensic laboratories examine electronic devices and digital evidence submitted by investigating agencies in a wider range of criminal cases.
A forensic scientist said there was a misconception that the division primarily dealt with cyber-fraud cases. "Offences where mobile phones, laptops or any electronic devices are used - for instance, extortion, sexual crimes, murder, attempt to murder, and even POCSO cases - are also brought for analysis," the scientist said.
The work can include examination of mobile phones, laptops and other electronic devices, as well as tape and voice authentication. The findings are then submitted for use during criminal proceedings.
The government has also prescribed closer monitoring of pending forensic work. TASI cases involving the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) will be reviewed every 15 days, according to the GR. The move comes amid an emphasis on reducing pendency through regular monitoring rather than merely increasing manpower.
