WITNESS PROTECTION SCHEME, 2018- A STEP TOWARDS WITNESS PROTECTION

Abstract

In India, Witness protection legislation was unquestionably necessary since it protects the lives, property, and family members of witnesses. Each of their statements is important because it has the power to alter the whole track of the case. Without their assistance, the Court would be unable to reach to a fair conclusion. Prosecution witnesses are pressed and encouraged to weaken or even destroy the prosecution process by whatever means necessary. Although, it is a harsh reality that the situation of witnesses in the current judicial system is deteriorating nowadays which is why The Scheme for Witness Protection was approved by the Supreme Court on December 5, 2018. Also, The Law Commission of India, in different reports, has underlined the difficulties that witnesses experience during the trail process and has urged that a complete strategy on protection of witnesses be incorporated. However, the scheme fail short of standards several issues, such as online intimidation, financial issues, etc. The objective of this study is to explore the concept of Witness Protection Scheme, 2018, and to highlight the challenges that witnesses face in the judicial system, as well as to study at witness protection in India.