Question : PROTECTION TO WITNESSES

(a) whether the Government is aware that several instances of witnesses turning hostile in cases involving influential persons have come to light recently;

(b) if so, the details thereof, during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether adequate protection is available to witnesses under the prevailing laws;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) if not, whether the Union Government proposes to amend the relevant laws to provide protection to witnesses; and

(f) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS(SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN)

(a) & (b): National Crime Records Bureau have informed that they do not maintain this information. Such information is not received from the Courts.

(c) to (f): The Law commission of India in its 198th Report on “Witness Identity Protection and Witness Protection Programmes” has suggested comprehensive review of witness protection. Since the Criminal Law and the Criminal Procedure are on the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India, this requires consultation with State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Report has been referred to all the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations for their comments/views. No time-frame can be fixed in this regard.