Witness protection proportional to conviction rate: MHA

Lack of witness protection programme was one of the reasons for low conviction rate in criminal cases in the country, the government informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

This was disclosed by Minister of State for Home Hansraj Ahir in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

He said that a witness protection scheme has been prepared by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) and submitted to the Supreme Court, which approved it on December 5, 2018.

He said that the witness protection scheme, approved by the Supreme Court, has come into effect from the date of the judgement.

The conviction rate in IPC crimes in 2016 and 2015 were 46.8% and 46.9% respectively while it was 45.1% in 2014.

The MHA has issued advisories to the states and Union territories from time to time, to maintain law and order.

In April, the MHA had informed the Lok Sabha that the reasons for low convictions were witness turning hostile, long duration of trials, etc.

"The state governments are primarily responsible for prevention, detection, registration and investigation of crime and for prosecuting the criminals through the machinery of their law enforcement agencies as also for protecting the life and property of the citizens," it had said.

"The Union government, however, attaches highest importance to the matter of prevention of crime and therefore, has continued to urge to the state governments/UT administrations to give more focused attention towards improving the administration of criminal justice system and taking such measures as are necessary for prevention and control of crime," it added.