Desirability of Protective Safeguards for Victim and Witness in India

Abstract

Legal mechanism safeguards the interest of victims and of witnessses who made themselves available for the effective and efficient administration of Criminal Justice System. Victims sets in motion the process for prosecuting the accused and thereafter witnesses take lead to assist in the later stage of the prosecution. Need for the protective safeguards to the victim and witness is due to the rise in atrocities by the scaremongers who are in the position to influence them with an intent to suppress and overpower them. It is contended that the safety be extended not only to the immediate victim or the witness but to their family members, near- ones and any person associated to them. The court proceeding often are the daunting episodes in the life of victims and witness, they being important part of the Criminal Justice System has to be handled in a way during the process that may not hamper their will to proceed further in the process.