Title: The status of victim protection in India: comparative analysis with international regime

Authors: Vipin Vijay Nair

Addresses: Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, O.P. Jindal Global University, Sonipat-Narela Road, Near Jagdishpur Village, Sonipat, Haryana, 131001, India

Abstract: Victims are the prime witnesses in a criminal trial. Witness safety and security are paramount to maintaining an unbiased judicial process in the criminal justice system. In the last two decades, India has observed many witnesses being hostile or killed in several high-profile criminal cases like Asharam Bapu, Jessica Lal and Vyapam Scam. Many international countries have adopted various witness protection legislature to protect the basic tenet of law. India instituted Witness Protection Scheme, in 2018 to strengthen the Rule of Law in the criminal justice system in haste. In its infancy stage, the scheme lacks experience and needs a thorough discussion and revision to reduce the victimisation of witnesses within criminal justice. The article critically analyses the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018, notified by the Government of India to introduce witness protection in India. The article discusses various aspects and limitations of the witness protection scheme in India in comparative parlance with the international regime.

Keywords: victim protection; criminal justice system; victimology; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPLAP.2023.130007

International Journal of Public Law and Policy, 2023 Vol.9 No.2, pp.130 - 147

Received: 27 Oct 2021
Accepted: 10 Mar 2022
Published online: 04 Apr 2023 *

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