Nagpur: Maharashtra’s overstretched forensic laboratories are emerging as a major bottleneck in cybercrime investigations, with over 27,000 cyber-related cases pending analysis across the state. Of these, more than 3,000 cases are stuck at the Nagpur Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL), severely impacting the pace of justice delivery.
According to data, state forensic labs receive over 39,000 cases annually, with around 14,000 cases remaining unresolved each year. Notably, Nagpur’s RFSL is handling a significantly higher volume of work than even Mumbai, making it one of the most overburdened labs in Maharashtra.
Proposal to Ease Burden
To tackle the growing backlog, the state government has received a proposal to establish new regional forensic labs in Chandrapur, Chule, Ratnagiri, Thane, and Kolhapur. Officials say the ongoing analysis of viscera samples in Chandrapur and Amravati has already begun to ease the load on the Nagpur facility.
Cybercrime Investigations in Limbo
The backlog is especially concerning as cybercrime is surging in the digital era, and forensic analysis is vital for obtaining digital evidence. However, delays in forensic reports are increasingly hindering cyber police investigations and judicial proceedings.
“Whenever we seize mobile phones or hard drives, we rely on forensic labs to extract evidence. But the delay in reports slows our investigation and affects court cases,” said Cyber Police Inspector Baliram Sutar.
He also highlighted the shortage of trained manpower in forensic labs, which often disrupts coordination with law enforcement. “This year, our cyber station has registered 56 cases. We’ve submitted digital devices in 17 of them, but we’re still awaiting reports,” Sutar noted.
Breakthroughs Despite Backlogs
In spite of the delays, Nagpur cyber police have made significant progress in 2025, managing to freeze assets worth Rs 7-8 crore and recover nearly Rs 5 crore in fraud cases. However, officers believe these achievements could have been even greater with timely forensic support.
The growing backlog has raised urgent questions about the infrastructure, staffing, and decentralization of forensic services in Maharashtra. As cybercrime continues to rise, strengthening forensic capabilities is no longer optional but essential for effective law enforcement.
