What is Assam Witness Protection Scheme 2024?

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on 23th June 2024 approved the state’s first witness protection programme.Announcing the resolutions of the Cabinet meetings in Nalbari, CM Biswa Sarma said that the Cabinet has approved the Assam Witness Protection Scheme, 2024 to ensure compliance of Section 398 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to ensure protection of witnesses from menacing threats during the process. the investigation and trial of any cases.Under the scheme, a witness can in any case submit a request for witness protection on the prescribed form to a competent authority, through the secretary of the concerned authority. This agency can then file a request for a witness protection order.The competent authority shall be a standing committee in each district under the chairmanship of the district and sessions judge. The district police chief and an officer not below the rank of ADC nominated by the district magistrate shall be its members and the district prosecution officer shall be the secretary of the member. The witnesses shall be categorised as A, B and C based on the threat perception. Creation of witness protection fund under the scheme.
Protective measures under the witness protection scheme include holding trials behind closed doors, installation of security equipment such as CCTV, security door, alarm, fencing etc. at the witness’s house, personal protection and patrolling near the witness’s house, temporary change of residence, escort to and from court, provision of government vehicle for the date of hearing etc.