Final version of “Delhi Witness Protection Scheme” presented before Delhi High Court 

 In a bid to ensure safety and security of witnesses from “high-profile” accused, the city government on Wednesday presented before the Delhi High Court its final version of the “Delhi Witness Protection Scheme”. Final version of “Delhi Witness Protection Scheme” presented before Delhi High Court. The government filed an affidavit before a division bench comprising of Justice Manmohan and Justice N Ramana ensuring that it had enumerated all necessary steps to place guidelines that the prosecution, the police and the other concerned executive agencies must follow for the protection of witness. The High Court had directed the Delhi government earlier this May while directing prosecution of a ballistic expert and Bollywood actor Shayan Munshi who turned hostile in the high profile Jessica Lall murder case. During the prosecution, the court had asked the government to bring forth a witness protection policy for ensuring that witnesses can not be intimidated by powerful accused during a trial. The scheme is designed to ensage “witness protection cell”, “witness protection fund” and other such relevant provisions. However, all the proposed steps will be first produced before the cabinet for approval. After the cabinet waves the green flag, the scheme will be sent to the Lieutenant Governor for final approval. “Since the election to the Legislative Assembly of Delhi have already been notified, the scheme shall be placed before the cabinet only after the formation of the new government,” read the affidavit, DNA India reports. The scheme also seeks to bring forth a dynamic mechanism that enable witnesses to give testimony in a judicial setting as well as to cooperate with investigating agency without any sort of fear of reprisal or intimidation. The affidavit also proposes that a comprehensive threat analysis report will be prepared by the ACP, DCP or ADCP investigating the case in terms of credibility and seriousness of threat perception to witnesses and their families.