Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In order to improve witness protection in criminal proceedings, the Goa government has announced the Witness Protection Scheme under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
The Gazette statement states that state budgets, court fees, donations, and CSR payments will all be used to establish a special protection fund. After a police threat report, witnesses can apply for protection online or offline, and requests must be processed by authorities within five days.
Preventing in-person interactions, keeping an eye on communications, hiding one’s identity, moving temporarily, and providing financial assistance are important precautions.
The announcement also says that special vulnerable witness courtrooms with one-way mirrors and live connectivity would be implemented.
