12th-Pass Officer Reappointed as Handwriting Expert at SFSL Mohali — Six Years After Court Doubted His Qualification
Removed in 2019 after court remark; reinstated in 2025 citing case pendency
A 12th-pass officer who was removed from handwriting examination duties at the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL), Mohali, following a court’s observation on his lack of qualification, has now been reappointed to the same post after six years. Officials say the decision was made citing a large number of pending cases.
From Lab Assistant to Handwriting Expert
Balwinder Singh joined the laboratory as a lab assistant nearly 30 years ago and gradually rose to the post of Scientific Officer. In 2013, he was assigned to the Handwriting Division and authorized to issue expert reports in handwriting analysis cases.
However, in 2019, during a court appearance in Jalandhar, Balwinder admitted that he was only Class 12-pass and did not possess any formal education or professional qualification in handwriting examination. The court subsequently dismissed his report and acquitted three individuals accused of abetment to suicide, citing the report’s unreliability.
Court’s Remark and 2019 Removal
The Jalandhar court had observed that since Balwinder Singh lacked even the basic educational qualification, his handwriting reports could not be trusted. Following this, on March 29, 2019, the then SFSL Director issued an order relieving him of handwriting-related work. He was not assigned any such responsibility again for the next six years.
Reinstated Citing Case Pendency
On July 22, 2025, the Home Department (Branch-II) issued Letter No. 4126, directing that Balwinder Singh be reassigned charge of the Document Division, which had been withdrawn from him in 2019. The letter stated that the decision was taken due to the pendency of cases in the laboratory.
Notably, several petitions regarding case pendency at SFSL are already under consideration in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which has also directed the state government to establish a Directorate of Forensics to improve efficiency.
Documented Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2019 | Jalandhar court rules that the handwriting expert lacks basic qualification. |
| 29 March 2019 | SFSL Director’s letter withdraws handwriting duties from Balwinder Singh. |
| 22 July 2025 | Home Department letter restores Balwinder’s charge, citing case pendency. |
Implications
Experts have warned that Balwinder’s reinstatement could raise legal complications. He does not hold any degree or diploma in handwriting examination, making him legally unqualified to issue such forensic reports.
Between 2013 and 2019, he issued nearly 650 handwriting reports, which may now be open to legal challenge. This could not only delay justice but also waste government time and resources if the validity of his past reports is contested in court.
Officials’ Reactions
Dr. Rajneesh Kumar, who holds the additional charge of SFSL Director, said he was not in a position to comment:
“The orders were not issued by me but by the Home Department. I have merely implemented them,” he said, declining to discuss the circumstances under which Balwinder Singh was reinstated despite lacking required qualifications.
When approached for comment, Balwinder Singh refused to speak on the issue. Security personnel at the Mohali laboratory stated that he was “busy” and unavailable for interaction.
Jaspreet Talwar, Additional Secretary (Home), who recently assumed additional charge, said:
“I received charge only a day ago. The matter has not yet come to my notice, so it’s not possible for me to comment.”
Summary
A 12th-pass officer, previously removed by court observation for lacking the qualification to serve as a handwriting expert, has been reinstated at the SFSL in Mohali after six years. The decision—taken amid a massive case backlog—has reignited questions over forensic standards, administrative accountability, and the government’s adherence to judicial remarks.
Source
- दैनिक भास्कर, “कोर्ट की टिप्पणी पर हटाया राइटिंग एक्सपर्ट 6 साल बाद अब फिर एसएफएसएल में तैनाती केसों की पेंडेंसी का दिया गया हवाला” — https://www.bhaskar.com/epaper/detail-page/chandigarh/193/2025-11-04?pid=1
