Witness Protection Committees Formed In Maharashtra After 8-Year Wait

The government on Wednesday formed three committees to provide security to witnesses in criminal trials – eight years after it enacted The Maharashtra Witness Protection and Security Act, 2017.

According to the Home Department order, one committee will be at the state level, one at the district level and the third will be for police commissionerates.

The state-level committee will be headed by the commissioner, State Intelligence Bureau; assistant inspector general (law and order) will officiate as member secretary; and special inspector general (law and order) and joint secretary, Home Department, will be members.

The committee for metro cities will be under the police commissioners, and its members will be municipal commissioner, two officers of the rank of deputy police commissioners or above, and a district government pleader. An assistant police commissioner (HQS) will officiate as member secretary.

The district level committees will be headed by district magistrates; district superintendents of police and district government leaders will be its members; and the deputy SP (HQS) will be member secretary.

These committees are mandated to protect the witnesses if they receive a threat to their lives or their family members. The state-level committee will review the protections being provided to witnesses and give directions to the committees in the metro areas and at the district level.

The state law was enacted following Supreme Court directions given from time to time. Such a mechanism will help to boost confidence among witnesses. It was also observed that witnesses do not come forward to assist the police, as well as during the trials.

As per the provisions in the act, the police will provide security to the witnesses not just during the trial but while investigating the cases, if the witnesses complain of threats. The act has a provision of a fine of Rs5,000 to anyone from the public or the police if they disclose the identities of the witnesses with their locations. The protection by the police will be free of charge, and it will continue till the disposal of the cases.

While moving the bill, the state was hopeful of increasing the rate of convictions by protecting the witnesses and thwarting any attempt to turn hostile.