Forensic Labs See Rising Forgery Cases Linked to Real Estate Boom

In Bengaluru, state-run forensic science laboratories are experiencing a surge in document verification requests, particularly concerning forgery in land deals. Data indicates a significant increase in these cases, with a reported 10% year-on-year rise since 2023. The number of requests escalated from 900 in 2023 to 1,034 in 2024, with 663 cases recorded so far this year.

Document Verification Trends

Officials from the forensic science laboratories (FSLs) noted that they do not possess data from prior years due to backlog issues. However, sources suggest that the number of verification requests has nearly doubled over the past five years. In 2020, FSLs managed approximately 500 requests annually, which has now averaged around 1,000 requests each year.

The primary facility is located in Bengaluru, with six regional centers in Belagavi, Davangere, Hubballi, Kalaburagi, Mangaluru, and Mysuru. The rise in real estate fraud and rampant land grabbing has led to an increase in cases involving land document verification. Divya V Gopinath, the director of the State Forensic Science Laboratory, emphasized that “the majority of the document verification cases we receive are related to land disputes.” Common documents include agreements, sale deeds, and general power of attorney (GPA), along with submissions from civil courts.

Response to Increasing Backlog

In light of these rising cases, the pendency of document verifications has surpassed 1,000 cases, resulting in a turnaround time of nearly one year for reports. To address the growing workload, forensic labs have expanded their staff, improving efficiency significantly. Gopinath reported that the laboratories now issue most reports within a month, with expedited processes for urgent cases that can be completed in under a month.

Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda recently urged officials to utilize forensic labs for any document authenticity concerns. This proactive approach aims to tackle the increasing instances of forgery, particularly in the context of real estate transactions.

As of now, the FSL has reduced its pending cases to just 99, demonstrating the effectiveness of the changes implemented to cope with the growing demand for document verification services. The substantial increase in requests underscores the importance of forensic science in maintaining integrity within the real estate sector.