Abstract

With the goal of protecting witnesses who are vital to the judicial process, the efficacy of India's witness protection program is a crucial concern for the criminal justice system. This abstract looks at the program's effectiveness in protecting witnesses by examining its design, difficulties, and results. The Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 established India's witness protection program aims to safeguard witnesses from threats, coercion, or reprisals in order to foster a stronger legal system. The program offers a number of safeguards, including identity theft, relocation, and secrecy. Nevertheless, a number of obstacles, such as inadequate funding, lengthy bureaucracy, and uneven execution among states, limit its efficacy. Even while the program has been successful in high-profile situations like terrorism and organized crime, the absence of consistent criteria and procedural rigor limits its overall influence. Its dependability is further compromised by the lack of committed financing and qualified staff. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the program frequently depends on the witness's cooperation and the competence of the legal system to provide a prompt trial. Although the Witness Protection Scheme in India is a big start in the right direction, systemic problems and a lack of funding limit how effective it can be. For the program to carry out its goal and make a significant contribution to the criminal justice system, it is imperative that these issues be addressed through more financing, training, and standard operating procedures.

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