Odisha’s First Narco Test Facility To Begin Operations Next Month; Check Details

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s first narco analysis test facility is expected to become operational at Capital Hospital here from next month.

According to sources, the required equipment have already arrived at the State Forensic Science Laboratory and those will be shifted to the Operation Theatre (OT) of Capital Hospital, where the narco tests will be done. Psychiatrists and anesthesiologists of the hospital are currently undergoing training for the same.

“We had a meeting at the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) yesterday. Our doctors are undergoing training to handle the side effects of the test during which a drug called sodium pentothal is injected into the body of the subjects which transports them to a hypnotic or sedated state in which their imagination is neutralised. If all goes as per the schedule, the test centre will be up and running by the end of next month,” Capital Hospital director Laxmidhar Sahoo told the media on Thursday.

He said that the need of a narco analysis centre was sorely felt during the investigation of former Health Minister Naba Das murder case when the accused Gopal Das had to be taken to Pune for the test. “Establishing a narco test centre in Odisha is a very good move by the state government,” he added.

Narco test is conducted to extract information or real facts about the case from an individual who is believed to be hiding the information from the investigating agencies.