Tests were conducted at the rate of Rs 10,000 until September, now it costs Rs 30,000 per test

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar, the only such laboratory in the country that conducts psychological tests on crime accused and suspects from other states as well, has recently tripled its service fee.

Also, Central security agencies as well as that of other states that want tests like narco-analysis and Brain Finger Printing (BFP) to be conducted on a priority basis, are now paying the government four times more than what they used to do until two months ago.

The Directorate of Forensic Science (DFS) has hiked the fee for these two tests for security agencies from outside Gujarat to Rs 30,000 each. A Government Resolution (GR) to this effect was issued by the state Home Department last month.

These tests until September this year were conducted at the rate of Rs 10,000 each.

In case the security agencies do not want to wait in queue and want these tests to be performed on a priority basis, they will now have to cough up Rs 50,000 for one test. Security agencies in Gujarat will continue to avail all the facilities of the DFS for free.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Balwant Singh said: “The decision to increase the fees for psychological tests was taken considering appreciation in cost of various things, including the salaries of DFS staffers and modern equipment needed for its laboratories.”

He further said: “Another reason for doing this was to ensure that only those accused or suspects, who really need to be put through narco-analysis and BFP test are brought to the DFS here.”

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