The New Witness Protection Scheme: Haryana Government

When it comes to imparting justice, numerous people play roles that decide the flow and outcome of the tried case and one of those roles is of witnesses. Witnesses are those individuals who have some information about the case. There are various types of witnesses such as eyewitnesses, expert witnesses, character witnesses, etc. However, all these witnesses share one thing or issue in common and that is the probability of being threatened or intimidated and eventually coerced into not giving testimonies.

To address and put a stop to this critical issue, the state government of Haryana launched a new government scheme called the Haryana Witness Protection Scheme 2025.

Read the article to learn more about the state govt scheme for witnesses and the details of its working.

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Applicability Of The Witness Protection Scheme

The state govt witness protection scheme will be applicable for witnesses of crimes punishable with death, life imprisonment, or imprisonment of 7 years or more. The Sarkari Yojana will also cover punishments under Sections 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and also, Sections 8, 10, 12, 14, and 15 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act of 2012.

Measures Taken Under Haryana Witness Protection Scheme 2025

The Haryana govt has taken several measures under the state govt witness protection scheme. The measures are applied as per the assessed degree of danger the witness might be in and aren’t applicable for more than 3 months. Some of those major measures taken for protecting witnesses are laid down below:

• No face-to-face communication between the witness and the accused.

• Monitoring the witness’s emails, phone calls, etc.

• Changing the name of the witness to hide their identity.

• Changing the witness’s phone number or providing them with an unlisted number.

• Installing security cameras, alarms, fencing, etc. at the witness’s residence or workplace.

• Extra security by providing witnesses with bodyguards or regular patrolling or stationing a PCR van outside their homes or workplaces.

• Temporarily changing the address of the witnesses to their relative’s house or a hotel/resort.

• The government scheme is also sensitive to the witness’s emotions and hence has a special provision of having a support person present during the testimony or deposition of the witness for emotional support.

• Monetary support was given from the Witness Protection Fund for relocation.

How To Get Witness Protection?

To receive the security offered under the Haryana Witness Protection Scheme 2025, the witness is required to submit an application stating the need for protection to the concerned authority’s Member Secretary wherever the crime has been committed. The application should have supporting documents like identity proof and others.

After receiving the application, the DCP or SP conducts a threat analysis report assessing the degree of danger upon which the witness receives protection. All of this is done within 5 days of receiving the application.

Conclusion

The Haryana Witness Protection Scheme 2025 is an exceptional and much-needed Sarkari Yojana that will enhance the protective measures taken to protect the lives of witnesses, their families, and their acquaintances.

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