MUMBAI, JULY 8: In a major progressive step toward modernizing forensic science, the Maharashtra state government has announced the upcoming deployment of advanced non-invasive post-mortem technology. This cutting-edge infrastructure will initially roll out in Mumbai, enabling virtual autopsies to be conducted without traditional surgical incisions. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis shared this milestone during the Question Hour in the Legislative Council today, responding to a query raised by MLC Chitra Wagh. The Chief Minister outlined a comprehensive overhauling of the state’s medico-legal operations aimed at enhancing institutional transparency, boosting accuracy, and sharply reducing administrative delays.
Currently, Maharashtra operates a vast network of 533 post-mortem centers, which collectively processed 10,905 autopsies this year up until May. Acknowledging the localized workload strains across these centers, the Chief Minister promised a time-bound review to systematically bridge gaps in human resources and physical infrastructure. The newly introduced non-invasive autopsy framework is projected to bring transformative logistical benefits, such as significant time savings, lower dependence on manual labor, a minimized margin for human error, and a heightened capability to diagnose minute internal pathological changes. To expedite implementation, the state has already finalized the tender and procurement processes for the necessary high-tech machinery, slated for installation at Mumbai’s prominent J.J. Hospital and KEM Hospital.
Addressing historical delays, Chief Minister Fadnavis highlighted that autopsy clearance, which previously took anywhere from six months to a full year, has seen a dramatic improvement. Over the past two to three years, optimization efforts across state forensic laboratories have effectively slashed backlogged cases from a staggering 300,000 down to 75,000. The administration aims to bring this pending backlog to normal baseline levels within the next three to four months, adding that legal cases and instances requiring viscera preservation will receive absolute priority.
While some rural autopsy facilities see sporadic cases, the state notes that centers situated near accident-prone corridors experience disproportionately high traffic. The Chief Minister reassured that cold storage units are already active across necessary locations and affirmed that a holistic assessment of all autopsy centers is underway to execute required structural upgrades. Concurrently, Fadnavis issued a stern warning regarding the absolute confidentiality of medico-legal data, noting that it is legally prohibited to disclose post-mortem findings until official reports are formally handed over to law enforcement. The government will enforce strict punitive actions against personnel found breaching privacy rules or leaking sensitive investigative data to the public prematurely.
