SC Asks Trial Courts to Consider Witness Protection in Cases Against MPs, MLAs
The Supreme Court has asked trial courts hearing criminal cases against sitting and former legislators to consider providing protection to witnesses under the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 even without making any specific application for the same, keeping in mind their vulnerability.
- The three-judge bench of the supreme court issued the directive during the ongoing deliberations on the petition seeking fast-tracking of cases involving MPs and MLAs.
- Over 4,400 criminal trials are pending against legislators. Of this over 2500 trials involve sitting legislators. One of the reasons for delay of these cases is stay granted by the higher courts.
Supreme Court’s Directive
- The ....