Anushka Mansharamani
The Allahabad High Court, while hearing a plea asking the status of the implementation of the direction of the Supreme Court on the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018, directed the State government to submit the relevant information of the steps that the government is taking to implement the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018.
The court directed the government to do so as the State had issued notifications earlier for the implementation of the necessary measures that have to be taken for the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018.
This direction given by the government is being asked to put on record by the court.
While hearing the petition, the petitioner in this case mentioned before the Allahabad High Court highlighted recent cases like the Hathras rape case and the Unnao rape case to point out the cruel manner in which the witnesses are intimidated and tortured to impel silence.
Another case that the petitioner stated was the Asaram Bapu case, in which the court observed that the witnesses were being intimidated and tortured and were compelled to remain silent.
A PIL (Public Interest Litigation) is going to be filed by the Supreme Court of India to demand the establishment of a Competent Authority that would prepare a Threat Analysis Report regarding the life safety measures of the witnesses.
Further, creating a Witness Protection fund and Witness Deposition Complexes in the District Courts.
The Allahabad State government has now been asked to file a counter affidavit to this within the next two weeks so that the matter can be argued on 20th December.
