Implementing 3 criminal laws: Hry rolls out witness protection scheme

WITNESS PROTECTION MEASURES ALSO INCLUDE TEMPORARY CHANGE OF RESIDENCE

- HT Correspondent [e-mail]

It will also cover punishments under sections 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as under Sections 8, 10, 12, 14 and 15 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

A government spokesperson said that under the scheme, there will be three categories of witnesses based on the threat perception.

Category A includes situations where the threat extends to the life of the witness, their family members, or any person in whom the witness is interested, during the investigation or trial, or thereafter. Category B involves cases where the threat extends to the safety, reputation, or property of the witness, and their family members, while category C applies where the threat is moderate and involves harassment or intimidation of the witness, their family members etc.