Faster Procedures, Fragile Foundations

THE recent notification (dated:18.12.2025) authorizing Churachandpur District Hospital to carry out post-mortem examinations is a welcome administrative step. By declaring the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at Churachandpur Medical College as a Medico-Legal Centre, the government has reduced delays that families have long suffered. Until now, bodies often had to wait for forensic experts to arrive from outside the district, causing emotional distress and procedural delays. Allowing local post-mortems means faster justice, quicker release of bodies to families, and smoother handling of medico-legal cases. For a district with only one government hospital, this decision acknowledges a ground reality that cannot be ignored.

However, this move also exposes deeper weaknesses in the government’s health and forensic infrastructure. The authorization appears to prioritize administrative convenience over professional capacity. A key question arises: why are forensic experts seemingly treated as non-essential? The answer lies not in their irrelevance, but in the government’s inability to deploy and retain qualified forensic specialists in hill districts like Churachandpur. Post-mortems are not routine medical procedures; they require specialized training to ensure accuracy, credibility, and legal robustness. Without sufficient forensic experts, there is a risk of compromised investigations, weak evidence in courts, and loss of public trust in medico-legal outcomes. 

Moreover, placing such a heavy responsibility on the only government hospital in the district raises concerns about workload and quality. Churachandpur District Hospital already struggles with limited staff and resources while serving a large population. Adding full medico-legal responsibilities without parallel investment in infrastructure, training, and expert recruitment may overburden the system. While the notification is a positive beginning, it should not become a substitute for long-term solutions. The government must urgently appoint qualified forensic experts, upgrade facilities, and ensure that justice is served not just quickly, but correctly. Administrative shortcuts cannot replace professional competence.

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