October 26 : Lucknow: The three-day international seminar ‘Tech-Sangam’, organised at the Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science (UPSIFS), Lucknow, concluded on Sunday. During the valedictory session, representatives of the judiciary, police, academia and technology experts shared their views on the evolving challenges of cybercrime, the reliability of scientific evidence, data protection and the effective use of modern technologies.
Chief Guest Justice Rajiv Singh of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court stated that with the advancement of technology, criminals are also exploring new ways to commit crimes. In such circumstances, investigation agencies and forensic experts need to remain one step ahead of criminals at all times.
The valedictory ceremony commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. The institute’s founding director, Dr. G.K. Goswami, felicitated Justice Rajiv Singh by presenting him with an angavastram and a memento. Key participants who contributed to the seminar were also honoured on the occasion. The programme placed special emphasis on the need to connect technological innovations with judicial processes and ground-level policing.
Justice Rajiv Singh stated that UPSIFS has now evolved beyond being merely an academic institution and has emerged as an important platform for multidisciplinary deliberations and innovation. He said that the institute’s establishment of an international identity was evidence of its hard work and vision. He appreciated the excellent campus placement opportunities being provided to students and the training offered in modern fields such as quantum technology and forensic science.
He expressed the hope that students trained at the institute would represent India at the global level in the future and play a leading role in the development of new technologies.
Referring to the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, Justice Rajiv Singh stated that despite the law having been enacted, the legal interpretations available in the market lacked practical and precise analysis. He called upon the institute’s experts to prepare a high-quality standard commentary based on parliamentary debates, committee reports and expert analyses. Such material could serve as a useful guide for the judiciary and law enforcement agencies.
He stated that safeguarding scientific and digital evidence was as important as investigating a crime. Referring to sensitive cases involving tampering with human DNA within laboratories, he underscored the need for caution and a scientific approach in the investigation process. He urged students to develop solutions that could contribute to building a safe society and strengthening the justice system. On this occasion, he also inaugurated the Centre of Experience for IT-OT Security and Forensics.
The institute’s founding director, Dr. G.K. Goswami, stated that the challenges associated with cybercrime and forensic investigations were becoming increasingly complex in the digital era. These challenges could not be addressed through theoretical knowledge alone. It was essential to connect technological innovations with ground-level policing and the practical requirements of the courts.
He stated that, while providing students with world-class opportunities, the institute was also imparting practical training to police officers in modern cyber laws and forensic evidence. Dr. Goswami said that the true purpose of technology was to provide security and justice to ordinary citizens. ‘Tech-Sangam’ had highlighted the possibilities of coordination among academic knowledge, cutting-edge technology and law enforcement. The creativity of students, the guidance of senior officers and the perspectives of legal experts had made the event significant. He expressed his gratitude to the faculty members and participants who contributed to the event.
Prof. Pawan Sharma shared his views on industry expectations, global projects, student innovations and the role of mentorship. He stated that in modern recruitment processes, not only the grade point average (GPA), but also students’ practical capabilities and understanding of the entire ecosystem were important. He expressed his commitment to supporting students in taking their innovations and products to the market.
He urged students to make full use of the global opportunities available at the institute. IG Raghavendra Vats of Ahmedabad emphasised interdisciplinary education in forensic science and emerging technologies, practical experience, and the development of skills aligned with industry requirements.
He appreciated the conference for bringing academicians, industry representatives, government officials and technology experts together on a common platform.
He added that the detailed discussions on the DPDP Act would help improve understanding of the law and its practical application.
Special Guest Dr. Satish Kumar, Commandant of SSF, highlighted the importance of scientific and digital evidence in the criminal justice system. He shared his experiences of coordinating security arrangements for more than 65 crore devotees during Mahakumbh-2025 and of his team receiving the ‘Mahakumbh Seva Medal’. Referring to David Epstein’s book ‘Range’, he stated that broad knowledge across different disciplines gave rise to major innovations.
He called upon students of law, forensics, quantum computing and cybersecurity to work together to develop new tools, software and processes. He emphasised that weak evidence could affect the entire investigation process and that accurate scientific and digital evidence was therefore essential for impartial justice.
