MUMBAI: In a bid to strengthening the crime scene investigation to secure a sure conviction the Maharashtra government has approved the recruitment of 180 posts on a contractual basis for the pilot phase of its Mobile Forensic Vans Project across the state.To meet manpower needs, the government has cleared the recruitment of 180 contractual posts, with an annual salary bill of ₹12.72 crore.The sanctioned posts include 45 Assistant Chemical Analysts (Group B), 45 Scientific Assistants (Computer Crime, Sound and Audio Analysis) (Group C), 45 Vehicle Drivers (Group C) and 45 Laboratory Assistants (Group D).As per a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Home Department, 21 Mobile Forensic Vans have been deployed in the first phase of the project, under which forensic experts will collect circumstantial evidence in serious crimes punishable with seven years or more.The total expenditure for maintenance, manpower, fuel, repair, kits, and software for the 21 vans has been estimated at ₹32.03 crore, which has already been sanctioned.The GR specifies that the recruitment will be done externally through contractual mechanisms or eligible system integrators for the first year. Over the next five years, 20% of the manpower is expected to be regularised annually.The decision was taken following approval by the Finance Department’s Sub-Committee in its June 20, 2025 meeting.
