CrPC FD , Shivam Jaiswal,Vth Sem, Roll No. 122,Batch of 2013

7/23/2019 CrPC FD , Shivam Jaiswal,Vth Sem, Roll No. 122,Batch of 2013

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1 | P R O T E C T I O N O F W I T N E S S

DR.RAM MANOHAR LOHIYA

NATIONAL LAW

UNIVERSITY,LUCKNOW

CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE

PROJECT SUBMISSION ON:

PROTECTION OF WITNESS

Submitted by: Under the guidance of:

Shiam Jai!"a# Mr$ P$ %$ &autam

Seme!ter '( )*!!tt$ Profe!!or+ ,a"-

Section'B .r$Ram Manohar ,ohiya

Ro## no$ /00 Nationa# ,a" Unier!ity+ ,uc1no"

*C%NO2,E.&EMENT


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*ny accom3#i!hment re4uire! effort of many 3eo3#e and thi! "or1 i! no

different$ I ta1e thi! o33ortunity to than1 Mr. Prem Kumar Gautam )Teaching

*!!ociate+ ,a"- for 3roiding me a#uab#e training and guidance at the ariou!

!tage! of my 3ro5ect$

I "i## a#!o remain high#y indebted to the #ibrarian for 3roiding the re4ui!ite

re!earch materia#$

,a!t#y I am than1fu# to a## my co##eague! "ho hae gien time to he#3 me

during the com3#etion of the 3ro5ect$


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Table o Co!te!t"

INTRO.UCTION$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$6

OBJECTI(E O7 STU.8$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$6

SCOPE O7 STU.8$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$6

MET9O.O,O&8$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

98POT9ESIS$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

29O IS * 2ITNESS;$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

9OSTI,E 2ITNESS$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$/6

NEE. 7OR * 2ITNESS PROTECTION PRO&R*MME IN IN.I*$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$/?

RECOMMEN.*TIONS$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$0@

I$ 2itne!! Identity Protection$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$06

II$ 2itne!! 3rotection 3rogramme$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$0

BIB,IO&R*P98$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$A/


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INTRODUCTION

*ccording to Bentham+ "itne!!e! are the eye! and year! of 5u!tice$ Their each and eery

!tatement i! ery im3ortant a! it ha! a magic force to change the cour!e of the "ho#e ca!e$

Therefore+ their 3re!ence in the court i! 4uite nece!!ary$ But unfortunate#y in our country+ thetrend i! !uch that the "itne!!e! do not "i!h to come to the court! to gie their !tatement! and

eidence! becau!e of the fact that they fee# un!afe$ Een if they come to the court+ they tend

to turn ho!ti#e+ thereby o3ening aenue! for the accu!ed to be ac4uitted$ In India+ there i! no

#a" re#ating to the 3rotection of "itne!!e!$ So their 3rob#em get! doub#ed !ince they fee#

in!ecured and at the !ame time haing no remedy for the in5urie! cau!ed to them becau!e of

that in!ecurity$

O#$ECTI%E OF STUD&

The 3ro5ect aim! at !tudying the ariou! a!3ect! re#ated to 3rotection of "itne!! in crimina#

5u!tice !y!tem$ It begin! by defining the conce3t of "itne!! and then 3roceed! to the

im3ortance of "itne!! and their condition in India$ The u#timate ob5ectie i! to under!tand the

need for "itne!! 3rotection in India+ the #a"! thereto and to ma1e the !uitab#e

recommendation in thi! regard$

SCOPE OF STUD&

The !co3e of the 3ro5ect ha! been re!tricted to the broad to3ic! #i1e the #a"! a33#icab#e and

the 3rocedure! fo##o"ed$ It i! #imited to the condition of "itne!! in India+ need for their

3rotection and the #a"! thereto$ It "ou#d a#!o ma1e the !uitab#e recommendation in thi!

regard$

MET'ODOLOG&

.octrina# methodo#ogy "i## be u!ed to accom3#i!h thi! 3ro5ect "or1+ ba!ed main#y and

heai#y on "ritten tet materia# and a#!o on the "eb !ource$

'&POT'ESIS

There i! no #a" re#ating to the 3rotection of "itne!!e! in India$ *! a re!u#t of thi!+ the

"itne!!e! are not at a## treated 3ro3er#y$ *nd at the !ame time they and their fami#y member!


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are a#!o not !ecure !ince they are !ometime! !ub5ected to #ife threatening intimidation!$ The

traditiona# ec#u!ie de3endence on the 3o#ice to 3rotect the "itne!! ha! 3roen ineffectua# in

bui#ding the confidence of "itne!!e! to ta1e ri!1! for bringing the gui#ty to 5u!tice$ 2itne!!

3rotection 3rogram and "itne!! 3rotection #a"! are !im3#y the need of the hour$ In fact+ it i!

the ab!ence of the!e #a"! that ha! he#3ed in further !trengthening the crimina#! and offender!$

Com3#acency in thi! regard can be detrimenta# to the !ecurity enironment of the nation a!

crimina# e#ement! get embo#dened by the #ac1adai!ica# a33roach of the #a" enforcing

agencie! in bringing them to 5u!tice$ So a## "e need i! !tringent #a"! in thi! area in the form

of amendment! in Crimina# Procedure Code and enactment of a !e3arate #egi!#ation 1ee3ing

in mind the need! of the "itne!!e! in our !y!tem$

W'O IS A WITNESS(

The ordinary meaning of the "ord "itne!!D i! a 3er!on 3re!ent at !ome eent and ab#e to

gie information about it/$ In other "ord!+ a "itne!! i! a 3er!on "ho!e 3re!ence i! nece!!ary

in order to 3roe a thing or incident$ Code of Crimina# Procedure doe! not define the "ord

"itne!!D$ In fact+ there i! no 3ro3er definition for "itne!!$ (ariou! !tatute! hae tried to

define it but none of them hae been ab#e to coer a## the a!3ect! of it$ No definition of

"itne!! i! 3roided in Scotti!h #a"+ though the dutie! and ob#igation! re4uired of "itne!!e!

can be inferred from !tatute+ and from the common #a"+ a!+ for in!tance in the ca!e ofHMA $

Monson2$* co'accu!ed i! a com3etent but not com3e##ab#e "itne!! for another co'accu!ed$ In

term! of S$ 0


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encom3a!!e! "itne!!e! for the 3ro!ecution and for the defence )inc#uding accu!ed 3er!on!-

a#though thi! i! not e3re!!#y !tated$ 2hi#e a co'accu!ed i! certain#y a com3etent "itne!!+ it i!

not c#ear "hether he or !he can be com3e##ed to gie eidence$

There i! no definition a! to "ho con!titute! a "itne!! een in internationa# #a"$ Thi! can be

inferred from treatie! and ca!e #a"! that 3artie! giing te!timony in crimina# 3roceeding! are

genera##y !ub5ect to !ome ru#e! and guide#ine!$ The!e 3artie! inc#ude "hat "e "ou#d

common#y under!tand in dome!tic #a" a! "itne!!e!+ 3articu#ar#y ictim! "here they a33ear

a! "itne!!e! in crimina# 3roceeding! and other u#nerab#e categorie! inc#uding chi#dren and

tho!e "ith menta# condition!$

The !tatement gien by the "itne!!e! he#3! the court to a great etent to frame the fact! and

circum!tance! of the ca!e$ It i! for thi! rea!on that they are e3ected to te## the truth$ It i! !aid

that "itne!! are "eighed+ they are not numbered$ Their re#eance can on#y be a!certained by

the !tatement! gien by them and a#!o the eidence 3roduced by them though not in 4uantity

but in4ua#ity$ If a fact i! fu##y 3roed by t"o "itne!!e!+ it i! a! good a! if 3roed by a

hundred$

Section /


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IMPORTANCE OF WITNESSES

The ro#e of a "itne!! i! 3aramount in the crimina# 5u!tice !y!tem of any country$ In thi!

contet Bentham !aid that "itne!!e! are the eyes an! ears of (ustice$

2adh"a J$ !aid+ A criminal case is built on the e!ifice of evi!ence evi!ence that is

a!missible in law$ )or that witnesses are re"uire! whether it is !irect evi!ence or

circumstantial evi!ence&*$

Thu! a "itne!! i! an im3ortant 3arty in a ca!e a3art from the com3#ainant and the accu!ed$

+y giving evi!encerelating to the commission of an offence he performs a sacre! !uty ofassisting the court to!iscover the truth$ ,t is because of this reason that the witness either

takes an oath in the name ofGo! or solemnly affirms to speak the truth the whole of the

truth an! nothing buttruth$ He-she performs an important public !uty of assisting the court

in !eci!ing on the guilt or otherwise of the accuse! in the case$ He submits himself to cross.

e#amination an! cannot refuse to answer "uestions on the groun! the answer will

incriminate him/D$

9e ha! to gie a## the informationcorrect#y other"i!e he "i## hae to face the tria# under

Section />@ of the Indian Pena# Codeand thereafter may be 3ena#ied under Section />A'/>

of the !ame for the afore!aid offence$ The crucia# 3art 3#ayed by "itne!!e! in bringing

offender! to 5u!tice i! centra# to any modern crimina# 5u!tice !y!tem+ !ince the !ucce!!fu#

conc#u!ion of each !tage in crimina# 3roceeding!+ from the initia# re3orting of the crime to the

tria# it!e#f+ u!ua##y de3end! on the coo3eration of "itne!!e!$ Their ro#e at the tria# i!

3articu#ar#y im3ortant+ in ader!aria# !y!tem! "here+ "here the 3ro!ecution mu!t 3roe it!

ca!e by #eading eidence+ often in the form of ora# eamination of "itne!!e!+ "hich can then

be cha##enged by the defence+ at a 3ub#ic hearing$

* number of factor! hae #ed to increa!ed attention on the ro#e of "itne!!e! in crimina#

3roceeding!+ not on#y in India+ but a#!o at the internationa# #ee#$ Perha3! the t"o mo!t

im3ortant hae been the emergence of intere!t in the !tatu! of the ictim! in crimina#

3 W%d78% 2. in S8%r%n Sing7 *. S$%$ o' P#n9%:, /444- SCC 3, 36

6 Co;;i$$ on R'ro;! o' Cri;in%l 9#!$i( S"!$;, H%dd :" 2#!$i(M%lli;%$7,, Vol#; I, P%g 1-1


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3rocedure and the !ignificant ri!e in terrori!t and organied crime!$?The im3ortance of a

"itne!! ha! been ac1no"#edged 3articu#ar#y in crime! !uch a! terrori!t offence!+ drug!

traffic1ing and crime! committed by organied grou3!$ The Euro3ean Union+ for in!tance ha!

ado3ted a Re!o#ution )0A Noember />>+ >FC A0=@6- on the Protection

of "itne!!e! in the 7ight *gain!t Internationa# Organied Crime$ The difficu#tie! faced by the

"itne!!e! inc#ude #ife'threatening intimidation again!t them!e#e! and their fami#ie!$ 2here

!uch "itne!!e! are 3o#ice informer! or 3o#ice officer!+ further ine!tigation! and crime

3reention actiitie! may be ham3ered becau!e of inade4uate "itne!! 3rotection$ 9o"eer+

other "itne!!e! can a#!o face difficu#tie!+ inc#uding "itne!!e! to crime "ithin the fami#y or

c#o!e community+ "itne!!e! in !eua# offence ca!e! and other "itne!!e! "ho are u#nerab#e

for 3er!ona# rea!on!>

$ The 3ro!ecution main#y re#ie! on the ora# eidence of the "itne!!e! for

3roing the ca!e again!t the accu!ed$ It i! for thi! rea!on that "itne!!e! de!ere a !3ecia#

treatment in !uch ca!e!$ But unfortunate#y+ "hatG! ha33ening in the court! i! tota##y reer!e

e!3ecia##y in the court! of other country "here there i! no #a" re#ating to treatment and

3rotection of "itne!!e!$

CONDITION OF WITNESSES IN INDIA

Unfortunate#y in India+ there i! no #a" re#ating to the 3rotection of "itne!!e! a! in dee#o3ed

countrie! #i1e U%+ US+ Canada and *u!tra#ia$ *! a re!u#t of thi!+ the "itne!!e! are not at a##

treated 3ro3er#y$ *nd at the !ame time they and their fami#y member! are a#!o not !ecure

!ince they are !ometime! !ub5ected to #ife threatening intimidation!$

On 0ArdJu#y+ 0@/A an artic#e in The 9indu ne"!3a3er read that:/@

the I!hrat Jahan ca!e ha! thro"n u3 yet another im3ortant 4ue!tion that nag! the

crimina# 5u!tice !y!tem: that of 3rotection of "itne!!e! and ictim!G fami#ie! "ho

3ur!ue crimina# 3roceeding! or name 3er3etrator!$ Shamima %au!er+ I!hratG! mother+

T7 S(o$$i!7 E&(#$i* Cn$r%l R!%r(7 Uni$

+ i:id

14 7$$>888.$77ind#.(o;>oo


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a! "e## a! the #atterG! fami#y member! and friend! !u33orting the crimina# ca!e again!t

the fa1e encounter+ hae been receiing threat! and hae been intimidated$ The #ac1 of

a com3rehen!ie "itne!! 3rotection 3rogramme a! 3art of the crimina# 5u!tice !y!tem

i! effectie#y faci#itating attem3t! to !ubert 5u!tice$

The 3re!! re#ea!e drafted by Shamima %au!erG! #a"yer+ (rinda &roer !tate!: een

in the 3a!t attem3t! hae been made on the #ife of Shamima %au!er+ Rauf#a#a and

Mohinuddin I!mai# Syed$ .e!3ite "ritten+ erba# and ora# com3#aint! to the CBI and

the 3o#ice+ no !eriou! action or in4uiry ha! been initiated into the matter$D

The com3#ete #ac1 of "itne!! 3rotection in India i! eidenced in the ca!e regarding

the encounter 1i##ing! of Sohrabuddin Shei1h and %au!er Bi$ In a %af1ae!4ue

manner+ Tu#!iram Pra5a3ati H a "itne!! to Shei1hG! 1i##ing ' had 3redicted hi! o"n

death$ Pra5a3ati+ "ho "a! #odged in Udai3ur 5ai#+ re3eated#y 3etitioned the authoritie!

he feared for hi! #ife and !afety !ince he "a! a materia# "itne!! in the 1i##ing of

Sohrabuddin and %au!er Bi+ and that hi! death "a! imminent$ 9e had "ritten #etter!

to the Nationa# 9uman Right! Commi!!ion and made ora# a33ea#! to court!

maintaining if !omething "a! not done to 3rotect him+ then he "ou#d be 1i##ed in a

fa1e encounter$ 9e "a!+ eentua##y+ and the 3o#ice a##eged he "a! !hot dead "hi#e

trying to e!ca3e cu!tody$

In the ca!e of the ma!! ra3e! in %unan Po!h3ora in %a!hmir+ the %u3"ara Judicia#

Magi!trate ha! reo3ened ine!tigation 00 year! after the incident$ Mean"hi#e+ ictim!

and their fami#y member! hae receied ei#ed and direct threat! to "ithdra" their

com3#aint!$

In a !en!e+ for many of the!e courageou! "itne!!e! and other! con!cientiou!#y

3ur!uing crimina# 3ro!ecution+ fearing for their #ie! i! a refrain$ The e3erience of

!urior! of communa# carnage! "ho hae te!tified again!t the accu!ed i! a#!o !imi#ar$

In Bhaga#3ur+ Bihar+ oer /@@@ 3er!on! "ere 1i##ed in one of the "or!t ma!!acre! !een

in inde3endent India$ T"enty'four year! #ater+ "hen "e a33roach and encourage

ictim! and "itne!!e! to !3ea1 out+ they are re#uctant to do !o+ #iing a! they !ti## are

in fear of re3ri!a#!$ &ien that on#y a handfu# of indiidua#! hae been conicted for

the />?> riot!+ the identitie! of the courageou! "itne!!e! "ho te!tified again!t them


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are 1no"n to eeryone in the community$ Thi! ha! meant they are etreme#y

u#nerab#e to threat! and re3ri!a#! from the accu!ed or their fami#y and friend!$ In

!ucce!!ie interie"! that "e he#d "ith !urior! "ho had te!tified in court

3roceeding!+ their fear !eemed 3a#3ab#e$ 2ith the !tate 3roiding a#mo!t no !u33ort to

the!e "itne!!e!+ they are #eft to fend for them!e#e!$

In fact+ a 1ey "itne!! in one of the mo!t bruta# ma!!acre! in Bhaga#3ur ha! been #iing

in hiding eer !ince a fe" of the accu!ed in the ca!e he te!tified in "ere conicted by

the court$ 2hen a team of re!earcher! met him+ he to#d u! that he had been threatened

!eera# time!+ and ece3t for a fe" 3er!on! no one 1ne" of hi! "hereabout!$ 2hen

"e a!1ed "hy he had not fi#ed a 3o#ice com3#aint again!t !uch hara!!ment+ he !mi#edat the naiety of the 4ue!tion and !aid+ 2hat can "e e3ect from the 3o#ice "hen the

#oca# 3o#ice "a! a#!o ino#ed in the ma!!acre;D

In many ca!e!+ !ome "itne!!e! or ictim fami#ie! hae !uccumbed to the threat of

re3ri!a#!+ and !to33ed te!tifying in court! again!t the accu!ed$ Un#e!! "itne!!

3rotection mea!ure! are !eriou!#y im3#emented+ "itne!!e! "i## continue to turn ho!ti#e

in crimina# ca!e!$ * "e## de!igned "itne!! 5u!tice 3rogramme "ou#d no doubt

encourage "itne!!e! to come for"ard and te!tify again!t the accu!ed in their ca!e!+

een if it ino#e! 3o"erfu# 3er!on!$

No" a day the u#nerabi#ity of the "itne!!e! i! !o 3rominent+ that een the court! hae

bro1en their !i#ence and ha! a33ea#ed for the "itne!! 3rotection #a"$

In the ca!e of Swaran Singh $ State of Pun(ab00 2adh"a J$ "hi#e de#iering the 5udgment

e3re!!ed hi! o3inion about the condition! of "itne!!e! in the fo##o"ing "ord!:

the witnesses are a harasse! lot$ A witness in a criminal trial may come from a

far.off place to fin! the case a!(ourne!$ He has to come to the 1ourt many times an!

at what cost to his own.self an! his family is not !ifficult to fathom$ ,t has become

more or less a fashion to have a criminal case a!(ourne! again an! again till the

11 S8%r%n Sing7 *. S$%$ o' P#n9%:, /444- SCC 3 %$ 36


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witness tires an! he gives up$ ,t is the game of unscrupulous lawyers to get

a!(ournments for one e#cuse or the other till a witness is won over or is tire!$ ot

only that a witness is threatene!3 he is ab!ucte!3 he is maine!3 he is !one away with3

or even bribe!$ 4here is no protection for him$ ,n a!(ourning the matter without any

vali! cause a 1ourt unwittingly becomes party to miscarriage of (ustice$ A witness is

then not treate! with respect in the 1ourt$ He is pushe! out from the crow!e!

courtroom by the peon$ He waits for the whole !ay an! then he fin!s that the matter

a!(ourne!$ He has no place to sit an! no place even to have a glass of water$ An!

when he !oes appear in 1ourt he is sub(ecte! to unchecke! an! prolonge!

e#amination an! cross.e#amination an! fin!s himself in a hapless situation$ )or all

these reasons an! others a person abhors becoming a witness$ ,t is the a!ministration

of (ustice that suffers$ 4hen appropriate !iet money for a witness is a far cry$ Here

again the process of harassment starts an! he !eci!es not to get the !iet money at all$

High 1ourts have to be vigilant in these matters$ Proper !iet money must be pai!

imme!iately to the witness 5not only when he is e#amine! but for every a!(ourne!

hearing6 an! even sent to him an! he shoul! not be left to be harasse! by the

subor!inate staff$ ,f the criminal (ustice system is to be put on a proper pe!estal the

system cannot be left in the han!s of unscrupulous lawyers an! the sluggish State

machinery$ 7ach trial shoul! be properly monitore!$ 4ime has come that all the

1ourts !istrict 1ourts subor!inate 1ourts are linke! to the High 1ourt with a

computer an! a proper check is ma!e on the a!(ournments an! recor!ing of evi!ence$

4he +ar 1ouncil of ,n!ia an! the State +ar 1ouncils must play their part an! len!

their support to put the criminal system back on its trail$ Per(ury has also become a

way of life in the law 1ourts$ A trial (u!ge knows that the witness is telling a lie an! is

going back on his previous statement yet he !oes not wish to punish him or even file

a complaint against him$ He is re"uire! to sign the complaint himself which !eters

him from filing the complaint$ Perhaps law nee!s amen!ment to clause 5b6 of Section

8%9586 of the 1o!e of 1riminal Proce!ure in this respect as the High 1ourt can !irect

any officer to file a complaint$ 4o get ri! of the evil of per(ury the 1ourt shoul! resort

to the use of the provisions of law as containe! in 1hapter ::;, of the 1o!e of

1riminal Proce!ure$$&

*gain in


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it is a classic case !eficiency in the criminal (ustice system to protect the witness

from being threatene! by the accuse!$ =nfortunately in cases involving influential

people the common e#perience is that witnesses !o not come forwar! because of fear

an! pressure$&

7urther in the !ame ca!e court ob!ered+ the plight of the girls5witnesses6 who were

un!er pressure !epicts the tremen!ous nee! for the witness protection in our country

if criminal (ustice a!ministration has to be a reality$&

The "itne!!e!+ "ho are con!idered to 3#ay a ita# ro#e in the 3roceeding!+ hae to face a #ot of

hurd#e! during the admini!tration of the crimina# 5u!tice !y!tem$

a) 2hen a "itne!! i! ca##ed to a court+ to gie !tatement!+ they !ometime! hae to come

from di!tant 3#ace!$ 9e i! not at a## 3aid for hi! trae#ing e3enditure$ If a "itne!! i! from the

3oor !trata of !ociety or !ay of the #abour c#a!!+ then he ha! to !acrifice hi! one day "or1 and

ha! to come to the court 5u!t to an!"er a fe" 4ue!tion!$ Een in thi! ca!e he i! neither

com3en!ated nor doe! the court reimbur!e! hi! trae# e3enditure$

b) 2hen the "itne!! manage! to reach the court+ he i! not at a## treated in a 3ro3er manner$The Ma##imath Committee ha! e3re!!ed it! o3inion about !uch "itne!!e! by !aying+ 4he

witness shoul! be treate! with great respects an! shoul! be consi!ere! as a guest of

honour$08D$ In mo!t of the Court!+ there i! no de!ignated 3#ace "ith 3ro3er arrangement! for

!eating and re!ting "hi#e "aiting for hi! turn to be eamined a! a "itne!! in the court+ 7urther

no 3ro3er arrangement! are made for the "itne!!$

*) It add! to in5ury "hen he come! to 1no" that the ca!e+ in "hich he ha! to a33ear+ ha!

been ad5ourned+ "hich i! 4uite common$ Thi! i! a#!o 3erha3! the main rea!on for the huge

bac1#og of ca!e! in India$ Thi! ad5ournment demora#ie! the "itne!! to !uch an etent+ that

"hen he i! ca##ed for a33earance net time+ he ha! to thin1 !eera# time! before deciding

"hether to go or not$ * fe" more ad5ournment! #i1e the!e+ and he o#untari#y gie! u3 and

refu!e! to come to the court to gie !tatement!+ eidence! or for the cro!! H eamination$

10 Co;;i$$ on R'ro;! in Cri;in%l 2#!$i( S"!$;, H%dd :" 2#!$i(M%lli;%$7,, Vol#; I, P%g 1-1


13/30


+) 2hen at the time of cro!!' eamination by the defendant+ then he i! !ub5ected to a #ot of

hara!!ment$ Cro!!'eamined i! done in !uch a "ay that he i! under an immen!e menta#

3re!!ure "hi#e an!"ering the 4ue!tion! a!1ed to him$ Not on#y thi!+ in order to get rid of thi!

cro!! eamination a! ear#y a! 3o!!ib#e+ either he "i## gie fa#!e !tatement! or to ma1e the

matter "or!e+ he "i## turn ho!ti#e i$e$ he "i## retract from hi! 3reiou! !tatement$

Mr$ So#i Sorab5ee+ the former *ttorney &enera# ha! right#y !aid+ othing shakes public

confi!ence in the criminal (ustice !eliverysystem more then the collapse of the prosecution

owing to witnesses turning hostile an! retracting their previous statements$D/6

One of the main rea!on! for the #arge 3ercentage of ac4uitta#! in crimina# ca!e! i! of

"itne!!e! turning ho!ti#e and giing fa#!e te!timony in crimina#ca!e!$ But the 4ue!tion that

concern! mo!t i! that "hy do the "itne!!e! turn ho!ti#e; &enera##y the rea!on i! the unho#y

combination of money and mu!c#e 3o"er+ intimidation and monetary inducement$ In the

!en!ationa# ca!e! #i1e the BM2 and Je!!ica ,a# murder ca!e and mo!t recent#y+ the Be!t

ba1ery ca!e+ "here the 9uman Right! Commi!!ion interened "hen the "itne!!e! changed

their !tatement! in the court due to #ac1 of 3rotection to them and their fami#ie! "herea! in

the ear#ier ca!e!+ i$e$ the BM2 and Je!!ica ,a# ca!e+ mo!t of the eye "itne!!e! did not o3enu3 to 3in 3oint the 3o!!ib#e rea!on "hich com3e##ed them to change their !tand$ The fact i!

that the accu!ed to intimidate the "itne!!e! becau!e there "a! and i! no 3rogram aai#ab#e

under "hich after the a!!e!!ment of the need for 3rotection to a 3articu#ar "itne!!+ the

admini!tration cou#d gie himFher the re4ui!ite !ecurity coer$

15 T7 Indi%n E&


14/30


'OSTILE WITNESS

Today the main cau!e for the high ac4uitta# rate in our crimina# 5u!tice !y!tem i! the "itne!!

turning ho!ti#e$ The term ho!ti#e "itne!! ha! itK! gene!i! in the Common ,a"$ The function

of the term "a!+ to 3roide ade4uate !afeguard again!t the contriance of an artfu# "itne!!"ho "i##fu##y by ho!ti#e eidence ruin the cau!e of the 3arty ca##ing !uch a "itne!!$ It "a!

fe#t that !uch action! are 3er !e de!tructie+ not on#y of the intere!t! of the #itigating 3artie!+

but a#!o in the 4ue!t of the court! to meet the end! of 5u!tice$

It i! 3ertinent to mention+ that the !afeguard a! eni!aged under the Common ,a"+

con!i!ted of contradicting "itne!!e! "ith their 3reiou! !tatement! or im3eaching their credit

by the 3arty ca##ing !uch "itne!!e!$ To initiate the !afeguard+ it "a! im3eratie to dec#are

!uch a "itne!! a! ho!ti#e$ 7or thi! 3ur3o!e+ Common ,a" #aid do"n certain 3ecu#iaritie! of

a Kho!ti#eK "itne!!+ !uch a!+ not de!irou! of te##ing the truth at the in!tance of the 3arty ca##ing

him or the ei!tence of a Kho!ti#e animu!K to the 3arty ca##ing !uch a "itne!!$

The Indian #a" differ! to a !ignificant degree in thi! re!3ect$ 7ir!t#y+ the 3roi!ion )S$/6 of

The Indian Eidence *ct+ /?=0- on#y ta#1! about 3ermitting !uch 4ue!tion! a! may be a!1ed

in cro!!'eamination$ Second#y+ the #a" no"here mention!+ the need to dec#are a "itne!! a!

Kho!ti#eK before the 3roi!ion can be ino1ed$ Third#y+ the 5udicia# con!ideration )under S$/6-

i! on#y to be ino1ed+ "hen the Court fee#! that the attitude di!c#o!ed by the "itne!! i!

de!tructie of hi! duty to !3ea1 the truth$

Since the gui#t of the accu!ed i! 3roed to a great etent on the ba!i! of the eidence or the

information gien by !uch a "itne!!+ therefore 3er5ury or the giing of fa#!e eidence ha! to

be !eere#y cen!ured$ Per5ury today ha! a#!o become a "ay of #ife in the Court!$ In !ome

ca!e! the 5udge 1no"! that "hateer the "itne!! i! !aying i! not true and i! going bac1 on hi!

3reiou! !tatement$ The Judge here ignore! thi! fact and doe! not een fi#e a com3#aintagain!t him$ 7rom the aboe+ "e can conc#ude that "herea! the Common ,a" !ee1! to

categorie "itne!!e! a! ho!ti#e or ader!e+ for the 3ur3o!e of cro!!'eamining+ the Indian

#a" endeaour! not to ma1e !uch a di!tinction$ *## that the #a" !ee1! to do i! e#icit hidden

fact! from the "itne!!e! for the !o#e 3ur3o!e of determining the truth$

The Best Bakery case ha! generated a heated debate in thi! area$ The !tory began "ith Lahira

Shei1h+ the 3rime "itne!! in the Be!t Ba1ery ca!e+ turning ho!ti#e+ a#ong "ith A= out of the 6A


15/30


other "itne!!e!$ Lahira+ the daughter of the Be!t Ba1ery o"ner "itne!!ed the barbaric 1i##ing

of /6 3eo3#e+ "hich inc#uded em3#oyee! of the ba1ery and member! of her fami#y on March

/+ 0@@0+ in the 3o!t'&odhra carnage$ *fter a tria# that #a!ted for more than a year+ the tria#

court ac4uitted a## the 0/ accu!ed becau!e of #ac1 of eidence$ The erdict de#iered by

Ju!tice 9 9 Mahida on June 0= "a! cha##enged by an N&O+ Citien! for Ju!tice and PeaceG

and the Nationa# 9uman Right! Commi!!ion )N9RC- on the ba!i! of di!cre3ancie! in the

manner in "hich the ca!e "a! hand#ed$

Some of the argument! in thi! regard are a! fo##o"!:

7rom the beginning the &u5arat goernment "a! accu!ed of being bia!ed in the

ine!tigation of riot ca!e!$ Thi! "a! due to the di!criminatory treatment meted out to

the &odhra and 3o!t'&odhra cu#3rit!$ 2hi#e the former "ere arre!ted under POT* and

denied bai#+ the 3o!t &odhra accu!ed "ere a##o"ed to be re#ea!ed on bai# and

intimidate the "itne!!e!$ Thi! "a! a#!o ref#ected in the e3#icit !u33ort 3roided to

!ecuring 5u!tice for the 9indu ictim! "hi#e de#iberate#y oer#oo1ing the 3#ight of the

Mu!#im ictim!+ many of "hom !uffered at the hand! of the !tate machinery+

e!3ecia##y the 3o#ice+ and the#oca# 9indu #eader! "ho "ere accu!ed of in!tigating and

#eading the mob!$

The fa!t trac1 court+ "hich "a! !et u3 for the 3ur3o!e of trying the riot ca!e! !3eedi#y+

too1 a year to di!mi!! the ca!e$ Thi! 3roided am3#e !co3e for the accu!ed to threaten

or bribe the "itne!!e! not to go again!t them$ LahiraG! ca!e "a! a c#a!!ic eam3#e$

Ear#ier+ !he identified the 3er3etrator! and gien their name! to the 3o#ice$ 9o"eer+

re3eated threat! to her #ife and honour forced her to "ithdra" her !tatement$ The tria#

court did not bother to #oo1 into the rea!on! "hy !o many "itne!!e!+ inc#uding Lahira+

turned ho!ti#e$ Neither did it ta1e into account the !tatement! made by the "itne!!e!

before the 3o#ice under Section /


16/30


*rtic#e /6 of the Internationa# Coenant on Cii# and Po#itica# Right!+ "hich ha! been

ratified by India+ and i! no" a 3art of the Protection of 9uman Right! *ct )/>=A-+

recognie! the right to fair tria# a! a human right$

2hen the right to fair tria# i! io#ated+ it not on#y io#ate! certain 7undamenta#Right! under the Con!titution+ but a#!o io#ate! ba!ic human right!$

2heneer a crimina# goe! un3uni!hed+ it i! the !ociety at #arge that !uffer!+ becau!e

ictim! get demora#ied and crimina#! are encouraged$

*ttem3ting to conert the 3etition into a 3ub#ic intere!t #itigation aimed at im3roing the

crimina# 5u!tice !y!tem in India+ the N9RC re4ue!ted the a3e court to eerci!e it! 3o"er!

under *rtic#e /60 of the Con!titution to #ay do"n guide#ine! and direction! in re#ation to

3rotection of "itne!!e!$ ,ater on !he bo#d#y demanded the ca!e to be tried in Mahara!htra a!

!he "a! fee#ing un!afeD$ The "ho#e ca!e "a! !hifted to Mumbai+ "here there "a! a !3ecia#

court to try the ca!e$ But in on Noember A+ 0@@6+ Laheera fi#ed an affidait before (adodara

co##ector !aying !he "a! 3re!!uri!ed by N&O actii!t Tee!ta Seta#ad to name innocent

3er!on! a! accu!ed before the !3ecia# court in Mumbai conducting the re'tria#$ 2ith Tee!taK!

!u33ort+ Laheera had ear#ier moed the Su3reme Court for it! re'tria# out!ide &u5arat$

7o##o"ing her 3etition+ the a3e court had ordered tran!fer of the ca!e to a Mumbai court and

a#!o ra33ed the !tate goernment regarding 3rotection to riot "itne!!e!$ In the retria#+ of the

Be!t Ba1ery Ca!e on the 00nd of .ecember+ 0@@6+ Lahira turned ho!ti#e$ .uring eamination

by 3ro!ecutor Man5u#a Rao+ Laheera to#d the de!ignated 5udge *bhay Thi3!ay that her

materna# unc#e+ ua!er+ "a! not 3re!ent in the Be!t Ba1ery "hen it "a! !et on fire by a grou3

of 3er!on! on March /+ 0@@0$ In her 3o#ice !tatement+ Laheera had !aid that ua!er "a!

3re!ent at the ba1ery at the time of the incident$ In 3o#ice record!+ ho"eer+ he i! !ho"n a!

mi!!ing$ Laheera further to#d the court that !he had !igned on#y one document and that "a!the 7IR$ 9o"eer+ Laheera !aid+ !he did not 1no" the content! of the 7IR$ Laheera+ a 1ey eye

"itne!!+ a#!o !aid !he did not !ee anything on the day "hen the Be!t Ba1ery "a! !et on fire a!

there "a! #ot of !mo1e and fire a## around and mi!!i#e! "ere thro"n by the mob at the terrace

of the ba1ery "here !he and other! had ta1en !he#ter$ Laheera !aid on#y her !i!ter Sabira "a!

on the fir!t f#oor of the ba1ery "hen it "a! !et on fire$ 9o"eer+ 3o#ice record! !ho" that

Sabira and !ome other! "ere 3re!ent on the fir!t f#oor$ Soon after thi!+ the 3ro!ecutor dec#ared

her ho!ti#e a! !he did not !u33ort the 3ro!ecutionK! ca!e$


17/30


Thi! ca!e c#ear#y !ho"! that the "itne!!e! #i1e her hae #o!t the faith in the 5udicia# !y!tem of

our country$ *t the !ame time it i! note"orthy that there ha! been no 3re!!ure from the

goernmentG! !ide to effect a !3eedy tria# of the ca!e$ The !y!tem ha! fai#ed the!e "itne!!e!+

"ho no" fear for their #ie! and are thu! turning ho!ti#e$ The goernment !hou#d hae

3roided for the !ecurity of the riot ictim!$

9o"eer it cannot be denied that there can be a 3o!!ibi#ity that Lahira cou#d hae ta1en

money for changing her !tand$ It i! 3o!!ib#e that !he a!1ed for a huge com3en!ation for

retracting her !tatement$ But a## !aid and done+ "itne!!e! rea##y do not hae much incentie

or guarantee from the goernment to !tic1 to their !tatement!$ Ju!tice in thi! much'hy3ed ca!e

i! 3o!!ib#e on#y after the root cau!e of the incident i! a!certained$ 7o##o"ing thi!+ Lahira

!hou#d fre!h#y te!tify for a## the count! and in ca!e !he bac1! off$ The #a" !hou#d 3uni!h her

!eere#y on the ground of 3er5ury and abu!e of the court 3roce!!$ .ue to her the ca!e i! no"

more of a 3ub#ic drama rather than a crimina# tria#$ The media too ha! a tremendou!

re!3on!ibi#ity$ In!tead of !en!ationa#iing i!!ue!+ they mu!t endeaour to 3re!ent a

con!tructie and ana#ytica# account of !uch !ituation!$

Be!ide!+ there may be !imi#ar !ituation! in the future$ *nd in order to en!ure that 5u!tice i!

de#iered+ the court! and the #a" !hou#d ma1e 3roi!ion! for guaranting the !afety of

"itne!!e! and to re"ard them for their braery$ *#!o+ the 3ub#ic need! to get together and

3re!!uri!e the goernment to !3eed u3 !uch ca!e! and gie it! fina# erdict a! !oon a!

3o!!ib#e$

NEED FOR A WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAMME IN INDIA

1-The .e#hi 9igh Court on May 00+ 0@/A directed the city goernment to come u3 "ith a

"itne!! 3rotection 3o#icy "ithin ten "ee1! to en!ure that the "itne!!e! are not hara!!ed or

1- 7$$>888.nd$*.(o;>%r$i(l>(i$i!>dl7i?7ig7?(o#r$?%!@!?go*rn;n$?$o?(o;?

#


18/30


intimidated by the accu!ed in crimina# ca!e!$

Ob!ering that "itne!!e! are bu#"ar1! in a crimina# ca!e+ a bench of 5u!tice! S Raindra

Bhat and & P Mitta# !aid that they !hou#d not be a##o"ed to come under 3re!!ure a! ha! been

!een in ca!e after ca!e and it i! the duty of the goernment to 3roide ade4uate 3rotection

to them$

The 3erce3tion of !uch 3o"er being "ie#ded #ibera##y and "ithout com3unction+ to hara!!+

intimidate+ or often "in oer "itne!!e!+ i! "ide!3read$ There i! no gain !aying that !uch

3erce3tion i! borne out in ca!e after ca!e+ "hen "itne!!e! "ho are con!idered bu#"ar1! of the

3ro!ecution er!ion turn turt#e and do not !u33ort the !tate+ the bench !aid$

It referred to "itne!! 3rotection #a"! of ariou! foreign countrie! and i!!ued !#e" of

direction! to the city goernment to initiate the 3rogramme ti## enactment of any #a" in the

country$

The bench gae the direction in it! /@A'3age erdict directing 3ro!ecution of Bo##y"ood actor

Shyan Mun!hi and a ba##i!tic e3ert for turning ho!ti#e in the !en!ationa# Je!!ica ,a## murder

ca!e$

2itne!! 3rotection 3rogram and "itne!! 3rotection #a"! are !im3#y the need of the hour$ In

fact+ it i! the ab!ence of the!e #a"! that ha! he#3ed in further !trengthening the crimina#! and

offender!$ But ironica##y+ in India+ !uch 3rogram! and #a"! are a far cry from rea#ity+ "here

#eae a#one 3rotection+ the "itne!! i! not een treated "ith re!3ect or a!1ed for "ater$ Mo!t

dee#o3ed countrie! hae "e## formu#ated and com3rehen!ie "itne!! 3rotection 3rogram! to

!afeguard "itne!!e! in im3ortant crimina# ca!e!$ 7or eam3#e+ the US ha! the (ictim and

2itne!! Protection )/>?0-+ the (ictim!G Right! and Re!titution *ct )/>>@- and *u!tra#ia ha!

the Protected .i!c#o!ure! *ct )/>>6-$ Unfortunate#y+ de!3ite the high rate of crime and #o"

rate of coniction+ India ha! not dra"n u3 een a rudimentary frame"or1 to 3rotect "itne!!e!

in crucia# ca!e!$ The onu! of 3rotecting "itne!!e! re!t! "ith the 3o#ice+ "ho hae a dubiou!

re3utation in di!charging thi! duty$ The traditiona# ec#u!ie de3endence on the 3o#ice tom

3rotect the "itne!! ha! 3roen ineffectua# in bui#ding the confidence of "itne!!e! to ta1e ri!1!

for bringing the gui#ty to 5u!tice$ 2ith the neu! bet"een the 3o#ice and crimina#! coming to

#ight at regu#ar intera#!+ thi! 3roce!! ha! !uffered a further !etbac1$ The record of coniction!

in communa# riot ca!e! i! much "or!e$ 7or eam3#e+ in the />?6 anti'Si1h riot!+ not a !ing#e

3er!on ha! been found gui#ty ti## date$


19/30


Protection of "itne!!e! i! ery im3ortant in the ine!tigation and 3ro!ecution of organied

crime a! "itne!!e! are !ub5ect to intimidation by the accu!ed+ many of "hom are mafia don!

and under"or#d e#ement! indu#ging in nefariou! anti'nationa# actiitie! #i1e arm! and drug!

!mugg#ing+ human traffic1ing+ terrori!m+ and money #aundering$ Com3#acency in thi! regard

can be detrimenta# to the !ecurity enironment of the nation a! crimina# e#ement! get

embo#dened by the #ac1adai!ica# a33roach of the #a" enforcing agencie! in bringing them to

5u!tice$ On#y the fear of !tringent #ega# action can act a! a chec1$ Thi! re4uire! an effectie

"itne!! 3rotection 3rogram+ ino#ing a## the three concerned agencie! H 3o#ice+ goernment

and 5udiciary$ The 3o#itica# "i## to initiate thi! 3rogram !hou#d be di!3#ayed by the

goernment the #ega# a!3ect! can be #oo1ed into by the 5udiciary+ and+ the eecution can be

entru!ted to the 3o#ice$

It !hou#d be noted that in ca!e! "here the "itne!! i! a#!o the aggrieed 3arty or ictim of the

crimina# act in 4ue!tion+ they face dua# ri!1!:

i- Reconci#ing "ith their 3a!t trauma and

ii- 7ear of not initing additiona# danger to them!e#e! and their #oed one!$

In the!e !ituation!+ "itne!! 3rotection 3rogram! can act a! the much needed !u33ort !y!tem$

The 1ey to a "itne!! 3rotection 3rogram i! the !afety and !ecurity of "itne!!e! before+ during

and after tria#+ "hich i! mi!!ing in a## the!e area!$ Security after tria# i! irtua##y non'ei!tent

in India$

.enying a retria# "ou#d un#ea!h other re3ercu!!ion!$ Not !ure of receiing 5u!tice+ ictim!

tend to #oo!e faith in the goernance 3roce!!e! or #oo1 for a#ternate recour!e!$ Both !ituation!

are dangerou!$ 2hi#e the former undermine! the effectiene!! of goernance+ the #atter "i##

im3act ader!e#y on nationa# !ecurity$ *! Ju#io Ribeiro+ former .irector &enera# of Po#ice+

Mahara!htra and &oernor of Pun5ab+ a3t#y 3ut it in an interie" /D

13 Ti;! o' Indi%, 14 S


20/30


RECOMMENDATIONS

*! it i! 4uite eident that there i! no #a" re#ating to the 3rotection of "itne!!e! in India$ So a##

"e need i! !tringent #a"! in thi! area in the form of amendment! in CrPC and enactment of a

!e3arate #egi!#ation$ *n im3ortant !te3 in thi! area ha! been ta1en u3 by the Mini!try of 9ome*ffair!+ by forming a Committee on reform! in the Crimina# 5u!tice !y!tem+ headed by Ju!tice

Ma##imath+ former Chief Ju!tice %arnata1a 9igh Court+ a#!o 1no"n a! the Ma##imath

Committee Re3ort$ Thi! Committee ana#yed the "ho#e crimina# 5u!tice !y!tem and a#!o

made the 3o!!ib#e recommendation! in ariou! area!$ The committee a#!o ana#yed the

condition! of "itne!!e! in India and ha! tried to ma1e !uitab#e recommendation! in the form

of amendment! in ariou! 3roi!ion! in CrPC and a#!o other recommendation! re#ating to the

treatment of "itne!!e! in the court!$ But the committee on#y a!1ed "hat to do but not ho" to

do$ In other "ord!+ a#though it ha! high#ighted the mi!erab#e condition! of the "itne!!e! in

India and made recommendation! for their 3rotection+ but it ha! not gone into much detai#!$

*#!o the ,a" Commi!!ion of India in it! /6th Re3ort ha! dea#t "ith the condition! of

"itne!! in our !y!tem and ha! re4ue!ted the #egi!#ature to ma1e !uitab#e #a"! "ithout any

further de#ay$ The /6th ,a" Commi!!ion had referred to thi! a!3ect "hi#e !ubmitting it!

re3ort )/6thRe3ort- on the Code of Crimina# Procedure$ *fter con!idering the ear#ier re3ort!

of the Commi!!ion+ the re3ort! of the Nationa# Po#ice Commi!!ion and the re!3on!e! it

receied 3ur!uant to the circu#ation of it! 2or1ing Pa3er+ the Commi!!ion !ugge!ted the

fo##o"ing mea!ure!:

,t is necessary to amen! section 0*% 1rP1 so as to make it man!atory for the

investigating officer to get statements of all material witnesses "uestione! by him

!uring the course of investigation recor!e! on oath by the magistrate$ 4he statement

thus recor!e! will be of much evi!entiary value an! can be use! as previous

statement$ Such recor!ing will prevent the witnesses turning hostile at their freewill$Such a change will also help the Police to complete the investigation an! submit

a final report on the basis of such statements ma!e on oath an! on other facts an!

circumstances state! as recovery etc$D

*ccording#y+ the Commi!!ion !ugge!tedintroduction of !ub'!ection )/*- in !ection /


21/30


The other a#ternatie mea!ure !ugge!ted by the /6th ,a" Commi!!ion "a! to retain

the ei!ting 3roi!ion! in !ection! /


22/30


3rogram may be ada3ted to the #ega# to3ogra3hy of India$ It did not dea# "ith the obiou!

i!!ue "hether a "itne!! 3rotection 3rogram i! a #uury that a 3oor country #i1e India can

afford$ Thu! the Re3ort "a! no com3#ete 3er !e$

The Rome Statute that created the Internationa# Crimina# Court )ICC- H "hich India ha! not

!igned ' ha! recogni!ed thi! 3rob#em and mandated the 3rotection of "itne!!e! other"i!e+ it

"ou#d be im3o!!ib#e to gather eidence een for ma!! crime!$ The ICC ha! e!tab#i!hed a

!e3arate unit that 3roide! !u33ort to the "itne!!e! and re!3ond! immediate#y if "itne!!e!

receie threat! or intimidation$ Moreoer+ the 3rotection and !u33ort !erice! are 3roided

not on#y during the tria# !tage+ but if re4uired+ at a## !tage! of the crimina# 3roceeding!+ from

ine!tigation to 3o!t'tria#$ It i! true the ICC ha! more re!ource! aai#ab#e than mo!t crimina#

5u!tice !y!tem! neerthe#e!!+ 3utting ictim and "itne!! 3rotection mea!ure! in 3#ace i!

inetricab#y #in1ed to the di!3en!ation of 5u!tice any"here$

In *ugu!t 0@@


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It made the recommendation! in the fo##o"ing manner:


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I. W,t!e"" I+e!t,t- Prote*t,o!

There are three categorie! of "itne!!e!: )i- ictim'"itne!!e! "ho are 1no"n to the accu!ed

)ii- ictim!'"itne!!e! not 1no"n to the accu!ed )e$g$ a! in a ca!e of indi!criminate firing by

the accu!ed- and )iii- "itne!!e! "ho!e identity i! not 1no"n to the accu!ed$ Category )i-

re4uire! 3rotection from trauma and categorie! )ii- and )iii- re4uire 3rotection again!t

di!c#o!ure of identity$

In category )i- aboe+ a! the ictim i! 1no"n to the accu!ed+ there i! no need to 3rotect the

identity of the ictim but !ti## the ictim may de!ire that hi! or her eamination in the Court

may be a##o"ed to be gien !e3arate#y and not in the immediate 3re!ence of the accu!ed

becau!e if he or !he "ere to de3o!e in the 3hy!ica# 3re!ence of the accu!ed+ there can be

tremendou! trauma and it may be difficu#t for the "itne!! to de3o!e "ithout fear or

tre3idation$ But+ in categorie! )ii- and )iii-+ ictim! and "itne!!e! "ho are not 1no"n to the

accu!ed hae a more !eriou! 3rob#em if there i! #i1e#ihood of danger to their #ie! or

3ro3erty or to the #ie! and 3ro3ertie! of their c#o!e re#atie!+ in ca!e their identity 1e3t

!ecret at a## !tage! of a crimina# ca!e+ name#y+ ine!tigation+ in4uiry and tria#$

)i- *t the !tage of ine!tigation:

mThi! can be 3roided by the 3ro!ecutor moing the Magi!trate to a conduct a 3re#iminaryin4uiry or oir dire+in hi! chamber!+ i$e$ in camera$ The Magi!trate "i## hae to con!ider

the materia# re#ied u3on by the 3ro!ecutor for !ub!tantiating the danger to the "itne!! or hi!

3ro3ery or tho!e of hi! re#atie!+ and+ if nece!!ary+ the Magi!trate can eamine the "itne!!$

The !u!3ect i! not entit#ed to e heard at thi! !tage during ine!tigation$ If the Magi!trate

come! to the conc#u!ion that there i! #i1e#ihood of danger+ he can grant identity "i##+

ho"eer+ be di!c#o!ed to the Magi!trate and none e#!e$ 7urther+ the rea# identity "i## not be

ref#ected in the court record! but the "itne!! "i## bei! de!cribed by a 3!eudonym or a #etter

from the a#3habet$ Such an anonymity order 3a!!ed at the ine!tigation !tage "i## en!ure

on#y during the ine!tigationG 3eriod$

)ii- .uring in4uiry and before recording eidence at the tria#:

In the in4uiry before the Magi!trate or Court of Se!!ion )before the tria# !tart!-+ the

3ro!ecutor or the "itne!! ha! to ma1e a fre!h a33#ication and thi! i! nece!!ary een if !ome

of the "itne!!e! hae been a##o"ed anonymity and gien a ne" identity during

ine!tigation$ The Magi!trate or 5udge ha! to 3a!! a fre!h 3re#iminary order granting


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anonymity$ The rea!on i! that+ un#i1e at the !tage of ine!tigation+ in the ca!e of identity

3rotection during in4uiryFor before tria#+ !uch 3rotection can be granted on#y after giing a

rea!onab#e o33ortunity to the accu!ed$ 2e hae eo#ed a 3rocedure in "hich in4uiry

before the Magi!trate or before the Se!!ion! Judge before recording of eidence at the tria#+

the Magi!trate or Judge "i## con!ider the materia# 3roduced y the 3ro!ecutor or the "itne!!

a! to the danger to hi! #ife or 3ro3erty or that of hi! re#atie!+ and "i##+ if nece!!ary+ hear the

"itne!!$ *## thi! ha! to be in camera and the accu!edFhi! #a"yer "i## not be 3re!ent$

9o"eer+ the Magi!trate or Judge "i## hae to hear the accu!ed or hi! #a"yer !e3arate#y

and di!c#o!e to them the materia# re#ating to the a##eged danger to the "itne!!+ but not any

fact! "hich may enab#e the accu!ed or hi! #a"yer to di!coer the rea# identity of the

"itne!!$ Thi!+ "e hae 3ointed+ !ati!fie! the re4uirement of #a" "here right! of the accu!e

and the right! of the "itne!! get ba#anced$ If+ during in4uiry+ the Magi!trate or Judge grant!

identity 3rotection by a 3re#iminary order+ it "i## en!ure not on#y for the 3eriod during

in4uiry+ tria#+ but at the #ater !tage! of a33ea# or rei!ion and een after the ca!e ha! been

fina##y conc#uded$ The record of the 3roceeding! !ha## not+ ho"eer+ contain the rea#

identity of the "itne!! or any fact! from "hich identity can be di!coered$

)iii- Recording eidence during the tria# in the Se!!ion! Court: t"o'"ay c#o!ed circuit

te#ei!ion :

The "itne!!+ if he had a#ready been granted anonymity by the Magi!trate or Judge+ a!

!tated aboe+ he need not a33#y again for anonymity$ In re!3ect of the eidence during the

tria# a t"o'"ay c#o!ed'circuit te#ei!ion or ideo #in1 and t"o'"ay audio #in1 i! 3ro3o!ed

and the!e "i## be in!ta##ed connecting t"o room!$

)a- So far a! the ictim! and "itne!!e! not 1no"n to the accu!ed+ "ho!e identity ha! to be

3rotected+ the 3rocedure i! a! fo##o"!:

In one room+ )"hich "e may ca##- )*-+ the Pre!iding Judge+ the courtma!ter+ the

!tenogra3her+ the 3ub#ic 3ro!ecutor+ the threatened "itne!! and the technica# 3er!onne#

)"ho "i## be em3#oyee! of the court- "i## be 3re!ent$

In another room+ "hich "e may ca## )B-+ the accu!ed+ hi! 3#eader and the technica# 3er!on!

o3erating the !y!tem "i## a#one be 3re!ent$ Both room! "i## be connected y a t"o'"ay

c#o!ed circuit te#ei!ion or ideo #in1 cou3#ed "ith a t"o'"ay audio #in1$

The threatened "itne!! )i$e$ ictim or "itne!! not 1no"n to the accu!ed- "i## be eamined

by the 3ro!ecutor in Room * direct#y$ The "itne!! may identity the accu!ed on the ideo

!creen in hi! room but the camera in Room * "here the "itne!! i! 3re!ent !ha## not be


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focu!ed on the "itne!! and therefore hi! image "i## not be i!ib#e in Room B "here the

accu!ed i! 3re!ent$

The "itne!! in Room * !ha## be cro!!'eamined by the accu!ed or hi! 3#eader "ho are in

Room B+ through the t"o'"ay ideo and audio !y!tem$

)b- So far a! ictim! 1no"n to the accu!ed "ho hae on#y to be 3rotected from trauma+ the

3rocedure i! a! fo##o"!$

In Room *+ the Pre!iding Judge+ the court'ma!ter and the !tenogra3her+ the accu!ed and

the technica# 3er!onne# "i## be 3re!ent$ In thi! Room B+ the ictim+ the 3ub#ic 3er!ecutor

and the 3#eader for the accu!ed and the technica# 3er!on! !ha## be 3re!ent$ On#y "hen the

ictim ha! to identity the accu!ed+ the camera in Room * "i## be focu!ed on the accu!ed+

thereafter the 3icture of the accu!ed "i## not be i!ib#e in the !creen in Room B$

In thi! Room B+ the "itne!! "i## be eamined or cro!!'eamined by the 3ro!ecutorFdefence

#a"yer$

7rom Room B+ the Judge and the accu!ed can !ee the "itne!! "ho i! in Room * and i!

being eamined$

II. W,t!e"" rote*t,o! ro/ramme

2itne!! Protection Programme! refer "itne!! 3rotection out!ide the Court$ *t the in!tance

of the 3ub#ic 3ro!ecutor+ the "itne!! can be gien a ne" identity by a Magi!trate after

conducting an e 3arte in4uiry in hi! chamber!$ In ca!e of #i1e#ihood of danger of hi! #ife+

he i! gien a different identity and may+ if need be+ een re#ocated in a different 3#ace a#ong

"ith hi! de3endant! ti## be tria# of the ca!e again!t the accu!ed i! com3#eted$

The e3en!e! for maintenance of a## the 3er!on! mu!t be met by the State ,ega# *id

*uthority through the .i!trict ,ega# *id *uthority$ The "itne!! ha! to !ign an MOU "hich

"i## #i!t out the ob#igation! of the State a! "e## a! the "itne!!$ Being admitted to the3rogramme+ the "itne!! ha! an ob#igation to de3o!e and the State ha! an ob#igation to

3rotect him 3hy!ica##y out!ide Court$ Breach of MOU by the "itne!! "i## re!u#t in hi!

being ta1en out of the 3rogramme$

The .e#hi 9igh Court i!!ued guide#ine! to the 3o#ice on 3roiding 3rotection to "itne!!e! to

curb the menace of their turning ho!ti#e #eading to ac4uitta# of accu!ed in heinou! crime!$Thi! deci!ion gien by a bench com3ri!ing Ju!tice U!ha Mehra and Ju!tice Pradee3


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Nandra5og on a 3etition fi#ed by Nee#am %atara "ho!e !on Niti!h "a! a##eged#y 1idna33ed

form a marriage 3arty in &aiabad by Ra5ya Sabha MP .P 8adaG! !on (i1a! and hi! ne3he"

(i!ha# and 1i##ed in #ater$

The guide#ine! "ere a! fo##o"!:

Member Secretary+ .e#hi ,ega# Serice! *uthoirity "ou#d be com3etent authority

"ho on+ recei3t of a re4ue!t on a "itne!!+ decide "hether a "itne!! re4uire!

3rotection+ to "hat etent and for "hat durationD+ the court !aid$

9o"eer the 3rotection "ou#d be aai#ab#e on#y to "itne!!e! "ho "ere to de3o!e in

ca!e! 3uni!hab#e "ith death !entence or #ife im3ri!onment$

In deciding "hether to grant 3rotection to a 3articu#ar "itne!!+ the Com3etent

*uthority !ha##D ta1e into account the nature of the ri!1 to the !ecurity of "itne!!

emanating from the accu!ed or hi! a!!ociate! and the nature of 3robe or the crimina#

ca!e$

The authority !ha## a#!o con!ider the im3ortance of the "itne!! and the a#ue of

eidence gien or agreed to be gien by himFher be!ide! the co!t of giing 3rotection

to him or her$

2hi#e recording the !tatement of "itne!! under Section /


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of #a"fu# authority of the 3ub#ic !erant!+ for the offence! again!t 3ub#ic 5u!tice and

for the offence! re#ating to document! gien in eidence$ Section A6@)A- of Crimina#

Procedure Code !tate!:

* com3#aint made under thi! !ection !ha## be !igned

a- 2here the Court ma1ing the com3#aint i! the 9igh Court+ by !uch officer of the 9igh

Court a! the Court may a33oint

b- In any other ca!e+ by the 3re!iding officer of the Court$ It i! re!3ectfu##y

!ubmitted that Section A6@)A-)b- need! to be amended+ em3o"ering any officer of

the Court to fi#e a com3#aint again!t !uch "itne!!e!+ thereby 3utting an end to the

notion of bought oer or ho!ti#e "itne!!e!$

The 9igh Court a#!o hae to be igi#ant in the!e matter! if the crimina# 5u!tice !y!tem i! to be

3ut on a 3ro3er 3ede!ta#$ The !y!tem cannot be #eft at the mercy of the !tate machinery$ In

todayK! com3uter age+ itK! about time that a## #o"er court! are #in1ed u3 "ith their re!3ectie

9igh Court! "ith a com3uter$

7urther+ the Bar Counci# of India and the State Bar Counci#! mu!t 3#ay their 3art and 3ut thecrimina# 5u!tice !y!tem bac1 on trac1$ *nother method cou#d be to ideota3e recording of

!tatement! "hich "ou#d obiate a##egation! of coercion by the ine!tigating agencie!$ Thi!

may not be 3racticab#e in a## ca!e!$

If the Court thin1! it fit+ then the identity of the "itne!! !hou#d be changed$ But thi!

!hou#d not confine to mere#y change of name$ If the !ituation demand!+ then hi! face

!hou#d a#!o be changed through 3#a!tic !urgery$

If the court thin1! that the 3#ace "here the "itne!! ordinari#y re!ide! i! un!afe for the

"itne!! concerned+ then heF!he !hou#d be !hifted to the 3#ace "hich i! difficu#t for the

in5urer to reach or he !hou#d be 1e3t in a 3#ace "hich i! though the !ame #oca#ity+

"here he ordinari#y re!ide! but "hich i! not 1no"n at #ea!t to the intere!ted 3er!on!$

2itne!!e! "ho come to the court !hou#d be treated "ith dignity and !ho"n due

courte!y$ 9e !hou#d be 3roided "ith an officia# for hi! a!!i!tance$ *#!o !e3arate

3#ace !hou#d be 3roided "ith 3ro3er faci#itie! !uch a! !eating+ re!ting+ toi#et+

drin1ing "ater etc$ for the conenience in the court 3remi!e!$


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The "itne!!e! !hou#d be fu##y com3en!ated for the day "hen he i! in the court

becau!e he !acrifice! hi! "or1 to a!!i!t the court$

The 5udge !hou#d 1ee3 an eye on the defence in order to 3reent the "itne!e!! from

hara!!ment+ annoyance or indignity during the time of cro!!'eamination$

The "itne!! !hou#d be brought to the court on#y at the !entencing !tage$ *## hi!

!tatement! !hou#d be recorded in the i!o#ation at the ear#y !tage$

CONCLUSION

Thu! it i! conc#ude that "e need to enact !trict #a"! on "itne!! 3rotection 1ee3ing in mind

the need! of the "itne!!e! in our !y!tem$ Mean"hi#e the !te3 ta1en by the .e#hi 9igh Court

in #aying do"n the guide#ine! regarding "itne!! 3rotection i! "orth a33reciating$ The!e

guide#ine! !hou#d be con!idered by the #egi!#ature "hi#e enacting the !uitab#e #egi!#ation$

Today+ under 3re!ent circum!tance!+ the Indian &oernment i! ea#uating the *merican #a"!

3ertaining to "itne!! 3rotection+ "here gang men after turning a33roer are gien a ne"

name and identity and re#ocated to a ne" 3#ace$ In the US*+ the 7edera# 2itne!! Protection

Program "a! created in re!3on!e to the danger! faced by the "itne!!e! "ho te!tified again!t

mob!ter!$ In a high threat enironment inc#uding 3re'tria# conference!+ tria# te!timonia#! and

other court a33earance!+ a round the c#oc1 3rotection i! 3roided to a## the "itne!!e! through

the U$S Mar!ha## Serice$ 2hi#e the goernment i! 3re!ent#y de#iberating oer ma1ing #a"!

3ertaining to ho!ti#e "itne!!e! and #a"! for "itne!! 3rotection+ it i! im3eratie to note that

"itne!! 3rotection 3rogram "or1! on the 3remi!e that a## the officia#! ino#ed in the !ecret

eerci!e of changing !omebodyK! identity are ab!o#ute#y tru!t"orthy$ The 3#ain fact i! that the

#ee# of 3rofe!!iona#i!m demanded by the "itne!! 3rotection 3rogram i! con!idered to be

beyond the ca3abi#ity of our 3o#ice in the ei!ting !y!tem+ ma1ing it a! !u!ce3tib#e a! it toetraneou! inf#uence!$

Today+ !tringent #a"! again!t 3er!on! giing fa#!e eidence and again!t "itne!!e! that turn

ho!ti#e are ery much the need of the hour$ In many ca!e!+ it i! on the ba!i! of the eidence

gien by "itne!!e! that the State initiate! the 3ro!ecution 3roce!!$ 9o"eer+ during the tria#

of tho!e accu!ed+ it i! often the ca!e that tho!e "itne!!e! )on the ba!i! of "ho!e eidence the

3ro!ecution "a! initiated-+ turn ho!ti#e re!u#ting in the ac4uitta# of the accu!ed$ It i! therefore


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nota 4ue!tion of fund!+ a! they cou#d be generated in due time by !ome mean! or the other

but a 4ue!tion 3ut to the integrity of the !y!tem u3on "hich thrie! the !u!tainabi#ity of the

"itne!! 3rotection 3rogram a! "e## a! the #ife of the "itne!! and hi! fami#y$

#I#LIOGRAP'&

Crimina# Procedure Code+ />=A

,a" Commi!!ion Re3ort! no$ />? of *ugu!t 0@@

CrPC FD , Shivam Jaiswal,Vth Sem, Roll No. 122,Batch of 2013

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Transcript of CrPC FD , Shivam Jaiswal,Vth Sem, Roll No. 122,Batch of 2013