From Vein to Verdict: Blood Sampling SOP & Courtroom Reliability of DNA Evidence under BNSS (2023)

DNA profiling is often presented as “conclusive science”, but in court it is only as trustworthy as the collection, sealing, storage, transport, and documentation that connects the blood tube to the final report. Courts have repeatedly stressed that procedure is the bridge between science and proof: where the chain of custody is broken or the handling is sloppy, DNA conclusions can collapse.

This note sets out: (i) the BNSS statutory authority to collect biological samples, (ii) the Supreme Court’s uniform safeguards for DNA evidence management, (iii) a practical SOP for blood collection for DNA, and (iv) a Sessions Court reliability checklist for appreciating DNA reports as expert opinion evidence.

1) Legal foundation: BNSS (2023) + expert opinion under evidence law

Print Page

Summons Served Through Mobile Phone/ WhatsApp Valid Under BNSS: Bombay High Court Sets Aside Cost Imposed On Constable

From the impugned order, it reveals that

as the summons was served through the mobile

phone and therefore, the cost is imposed by the

Special Court. Admittedly, there is amended

provision in view of Section 70 of BNSS which deals

with proof of service in such cases when serving

officer not present. The sub-Section (3) specifically

states that all summons served through electronic

communication under sections 64 to 71 shall be

considered as duly served and a copy of such

electronic summons shall be attested and kept as a

proof of service of summons as well as Section 530 of

the BNSS also deals with the aspect of trial and

proceedings to be held in electronic mode which

reproduced as under:

All trials, inquires and proceedings under

this Sanhita, including issuance, service and

execution of summons and warrants, examination of

complainant and witness, recording of evidence in

inquiries and trials, all appellate proceedings or any

other proceedings, may be held in electronic mode,

by use of electronic communication or use of audiovideo

electronic means. {Para 6}

7. Thus, after going through this provision it

reveals that now the electronic mode is very well

accepted by the amendment in BNSS and the

purpose which is rightly considered by this Court in

the case of Kross Television India Pvt. Ltd., and

another referred supra wherein it specifically

mentioned that the purpose of service is put the

other party to notice and to give him a copy of the

papers. The mode is surely irrelevant.

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY

NAGPUR BENCH : NAGPUR

CRIMINAL APPLICATION (APL) NO. 222 OF 2026

State of Maharashtra,  Vs. Satish s/o Sanjay Ramteke

CORAM : URMILA JOSHI-PHALKE, J.

DATED : 12/02/2026

Citation: 2026:BHC-NAG:2733

Print Page

Supreme Court: Court's Permission Needed To Arrest Accused For Offence Added After Grant Of Bail

 34. In such circumstances referred to above, we arrive at

following conclusions in respect of a circumstance whereafter

the grant of bail to an accused, further cognizable and nonbailable

offences are added:-

(i) The accused can surrender and apply for bail for newly

added cognizable and non-bailable offences. In the event of

refusal of bail, the accused can certainly be arrested.

(ii) The investigating agency can seek order from the court

under Sections 437(5) or 439(2) of Cr.P.C. respectively for

arrest of the accused and his custody.

(iii) The Court, in exercise of its power under Sections

437(5) or 439(2) of Cr.P.C. respectively, can direct for

taking into custody the accused who has already been granted

bail after cancellation of his bail. The Court in exercise of

its power under Section 437(5) as well as Section 439(2)

respectively can direct the person who has already been

granted bail to be arrested and commit him to custody on

addition of graver and non-cognizable offences which may not

be necessary always with order of cancelling of earlier bail.

(iv) In a case where an accused has already been granted bail,

the investigating authority on addition of an offence or

offences may not proceed to arrest the accused, but for

arresting the accused on such addition of offence or offences

it needs to obtain an order to arrest the accused from the

Court which had granted the bail.

REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. OF 2026

(Arising out of SLP(Crl.)No.1536/2026)

SUMIT  Vs STATE OF U P & ANR. 

Coram: J.B.PARDIWALA & K.V.VISWANATHAN, J.J.

Citation: 2026 INSC 145.

Dated: 09TH FEBRUARY 2026

Print Page

Supreme Court: Absconding Accused Not Entitled To Anticipatory Bail On Sole Ground Of Co-Accused' Acquittal

Although the aforesaid case dealt with quashing of the

proceedings entirely, the rationale applied therein can be

instrumental in the present case, for the reason that the High

Court, by way of the Impugned Order, granted anticipatory bail

to the Accused solely based on the fact that the prosecution failed

to produce any cogent evidence proving the involvement of the

accused persons named in the Subject FIR, in the alleged offence.

The High Court also took note of certain findings recorded in

favour of the Accused by the trial Court in its judgment dated

24.06.2023 acquitting the co-accused. However, the said

consideration is completely erroneous and perverse in an

anticipatory bail application, especially when the Accused had

been absconding for about 6 years and made a mockery of the

judicial process. In view of such circumstances, the Accused

cannot be permitted to encash on the acquittal of the co-accused

persons. Further, the High Court failed to consider that any

finding recorded by the trial Court either against or in favour of

the absconding Accused is wholly irrelevant for the purpose of

deciding the bail application as the prosecution was not required

to produce any evidence against the absconding Accused during

the trial of the co-accused persons, in view of the judgment in

Moosa (supra). {Para 49}

50. It is apposite to mention that granting the relief of anticipatory bail to an absconding accused person sets a bad precedent and sends a message that the law-abiding co-accused persons who stood trial, were wrong to diligently attend the process of trial and further, incentivises people to evade the process of law with impunity.

REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO…………………………OF 2026

(ARISING OUT OF SLP (CRIMINAL) NO. 15349 OF 2024)

BALMUKUND SINGH GAUTAM Vs STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND ANR.

Author: VIJAY BISHNOI, J.

Citation: 2026 INSC 157

DATED: 13th FEBRUARY, 2026.

Print Page