In a first, Delhi govt notifies Witness Protection policy
31 July 2015 12:30 AM GMT
The AAP government said that ‘Delhi Witness Protection Scheme’ will ensure protection of witnesses in “crucial” cases.
“Witness protection scheme notified by Delhi govt. Delhi becomes the first state to do that,” Chief
Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Twitter.
Delhi high court in 2013 had directed Delhi government to frame a witness protection policy to provide guidelines and principles which the police, <g data-gr-id="95">prosecution</g> and executive agencies will have to follow for <g data-gr-id="94">protection</g> of witnesses.
“After much deliberation, it was decided to have a comprehensive policy for protecting witnesses. The policy envisages — categorisation of witnesses, <g data-gr-id="91">creation</g> of witness protection fund, types of protection and procedure for processing such request by the competent authority,” an official statement issued by the Home Department said.
According to a government statement, Delhi Home Department constituted a Sub-Committee comprising of officers of Law Department (Home department), Directorate of Prosecution and Delhi Police. “Subsequently, DSLSA (Delhi State Legal Services Authority) was included in the process of formulating <g data-gr-id="85">of </g>the scheme. Accordingly, a scheme known as Delhi Witness Protection Scheme, 2015 was drawn.
“During deliberations, all the aspects relating to witness protection and practices adopted worldwide were studied,” the government said.
Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain also tweeted that “Delhi is <g data-gr-id="89">first</g> state to notify Witness protection policy today (Thursday).”
Kejriwal calls on Prez, discusses ongoing political tussle
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday called on President Pranab Mukherjee to discuss various issues amidst the ongoing political tussle between AAP government and the Central government.
According to an official, during the hour-long meeting, Kejriwal apprised Mukherjee about the current situation in Delhi.
Claiming the meeting to be a courtesy call, government spokesperson denied that the issue of <g data-gr-id="90">rift</g> with Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung or the Central government was taken up during the meeting between Mukherjee and Kejriwal.
The AAP government and the LG Jung have been locked in a bitter confrontation over appointments of senior officials and functioning of the <g data-gr-id="79">Anti Corruption</g> Branch (ACB). Last month, both Kejriwal and
Najeeb Jung had met <g data-gr-id="78">Mukerjee</g> and apprised him of their respective stands in connection with the controversy.
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