Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, today laid the foundation stone of the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) and Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) campus in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, and virtually inaugurated the temporary campus of NFSU Raipur. On this occasion, several dignitaries, including the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, the Union Home Secretary, and the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, were present.

In his address, Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah said that today is a very important day for Chhattisgarh's criminal justice system, as three new initiatives are being launched to modernize it. He said that these three initiatives will, in the coming days, serve as a foundation not only for Chhattisgarh but for the entire criminal justice system of central India.

Shri Amit Shah said that today also marks the inauguration of i-HUB in Chhattisgarh. He stated that as the youth of Chhattisgarh become MSME entrepreneurs and develop their own startups, it will create greater investment opportunities in the state and accelerate Chhattisgarh’s journey toward an industrial revolution. He added that with the launch of i-HUB, the youth of Chhattisgarh are getting a significant platform. Shri Shah mentioned that an NFSU campus is being established here at a cost of ₹145 crore and a CFSL facility at ₹123 crore, with a total investment of ₹268 crore. In this way, premier institutions of forensic science will now be set up in New Raipur. He further said that graduating from NFSU means a guaranteed job, and NFSU will contribute to Chhattisgarh’s progress in the fields of education and employment.

Union Home Minister said that this year marks the centenary year of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and the entire credit for the creation of Chhattisgarh goes to the revered Atal Ji. He stated that after the formation of Chhattisgarh, the credit for its development goes entirely to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Shri Shah mentioned that Chhattisgarh is celebrating its 25th foundation year, and the state government has decided to observe this year as the Atal Nirman Varsh. He also said that in the coming days, New Raipur will be counted among the most modern and green capitals of the country.

Shri Amit Shah said that the Chhattisgarh government has done commendable work to ensure full implementation of the three new criminal laws in the state. He said that once these new laws are fully enforced, justice—from the stage of filing of an FIR to the judgement of Supreme Court—will be accessible to the complainant and the victim within three years, regardless of where in the country the case is registered. The Home Minister added that after the complete implementation of the three new laws, India’s criminal justice system will become the most modern in the world, and we will enter an era of evidence-based criminal justice. Shri Shah said that the Modi government has worked to establish a modern, swift, and scientific justice system through these three new criminal laws. He further emphasized that Prime Minister Modi’s vision for a developed India by 2047 is not limited to infrastructure, industry, innovation, and economic growth—it also includes ensuring timely delivery of justice.

Union Home Minister said that accurate results are achieved only when there is scientific evidence, and with the help of Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs), India will soon be among the leading countries in the world in terms of conviction rate. He stated that the Modi government has abolished 160-year-old colonial-era laws and introduced new criminal laws, under which the visit of a forensic science team has been made mandatory in all crimes punishable with more than seven years of imprisonment. This highlights the immense potential that exists in the field of forensic science in our country.

Shri Amit Shah said that since the establishment of NFSU, 16 campuses have been initiated in a very short time—7 of which are operational and 9 approved, with 10 additional campuses proposed. He said that the Modi government is planning to expand NFSU to 26 major locations across the country. Once these campuses are fully developed, India will produce 32,000 forensic experts every year in the coming years. The Home Minister also mentioned that, according to a survey, the global forensic technology market is currently valued at $20 billion and is projected to grow at a 13% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), reaching $55 billion by 2036. India is expected to hold a 9% share of this market.

*****

RK/VV/PR/PS