Srinagar, Feb 05 (KNO): The Union Government has informed Parliament that a Cyber Forensic Laboratory is available and functioning in Jammu and Kashmir as part of efforts to strengthen digital crime investigation and forensic capabilities in the Union Territory.
In a written reply to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha, the Ministry of Home Affairs, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that the Central Government is providing continued support for upgradation of State and Union Territory Forensic Science Laboratories, including cyber forensic divisions, under centrally funded schemes.
The Ministry said that projects worth Rs 244.89 crore have been approved for 30 States and Union Territories under the Nirbhaya-funded scheme for strengthening DNA analysis and cyber forensic capacities. Jammu and Kashmir is among the UTs where a cyber forensic facility is already available, it said.
The government further informed Parliament that police and public order being state subjects, the responsibility for investigation and maintenance of forensic facilities rests with the respective State or Union Territory administrations, while the Centre extends financial and technical support.
Meanwhile, the Ministry said that details of pending cases and sanctioned posts in cyber forensic laboratories are not maintained centrally, adding that training and upskilling of cyber professionals is an ongoing process through institutions such as the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU)—(KNO)