Report No. 198

(Q) 3 Who among the following should be made in-charge of the implementation of the entire Witness Protection Programme:

(a) Judicial Officer,

(b) Police Officer,

(c) GovernmentDepartment,

(d) Autonomous body.

Here question is who should be made in-charge of the entire Witness Protection Programme? Whether he should be a judicial officer or police officer or it should be implemented by a Government Department or by an autonomous body?

There is no unanimity amongst the respondents on this issue. However, majority (15 in number) are in favour that Judicial Officer should be made incharge of this Witness Protection Programme. Among these 15 respondents, 4 are Police Officials, 1 from a State Government, 1 from a High Court Judge, and 9 are from others.

11 respondents (6 State Governments, 2 Police Officers and 3 others) are of the view that Government Department be made in-charge of this Programme. 8 respondents (2 Police Officers, 1 State Government, 1 High Court Judge and 4 others) are in favour that an Autonomous Body should be made in-charge of Witness Protection Programme.

Only 6 respondents (2 State Governments, 3 Police Officers, and 1 Judge of a subordinate court) have opined that a Police Officer be made in-charge of the Programme.