Efficacy Of The Witness Protection Scheme 2018: Challenges, Judicial Responses, And The Road Ahead
- IJLLR Journal
- 37 minutes ago
- 1 min read
Dhiraj Kumar Mishra, University Department of Law, Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India.
Anamika Kumari, University Department of Law, Tilka Manjhi Bhagalpur University, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India.
ABSTRACT
Witness protection is a critical component of any criminal justice system that aspires to uphold fairness, transparency, and the rule of law. In India, the absence of a statutory witness protection framework has historically resulted in intimidation, coercion, and the alarming rise of hostile witnesses. The Witness Protection Scheme, 2018—approved by the Supreme Court— represents India’s first national-level attempt to institutionalize witness protection. This paper evaluates the efficacy of the Scheme by examining judicial responses, administrative challenges, and comparative international models. Through doctrinal and analytical research, the study identifies structural gaps, implementation barriers, and the need for statutory reinforcement. The paper concludes with recommendations for strengthening India’s witness protection regime to ensure meaningful participation of witnesses and enhance the credibility of the criminal justice system.
Keywords: Witness Protection Scheme 2018, Hostile Witnesses, Judicial Response, Criminal Justice Reform, Witness Security, India.
