SC approves Witness Protection Scheme, 2018; Directs setting up of Vulnerable Witness Deposition Complexes in all district courts

S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Writ Petition(Criminal) No. 156/2016

MAHENDER CHAWLA & ORS. Petitioner(s)
VERSUS
UNION OF INDIA & ORS. Respondent(s)

(With IA No.76013/2017-EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T.)

Date : 21-08-2017 This petition was called on for hearing today.

CORAM :
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE A.K. SIKRI
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHOK BHUSHAN

For Petitioner(s)
Mr. Utsav S. B., Adv.
Mr. Anand Mishra, AOR
Mr. Amrendra Kumar Singh, Adv.

For Respondent(s)
Mr. K. K. Venugopal, AG.
Ms. Pinky Anand, ASG.
Mr. Tara Chandra Sharma, Adv.
Mr. Vijay Prakash, Adv.
Ms. Kirti Dua, Adv.
Mr. B. Krishna Prasad, AOR

Mr. Birendra Kumar Choudhary, Adv.
Mr. Sanjay Kumar Visen, AOR
Mr. B. S. Gautam, Adv.

Ms. Ruchi Kohli, AOR
Mr. Virat Anand, Adv.
Ms. Bhavya T., Adv.

Ms. Hemantika Wahi, AOR
Ms. Jesal Wahi, Adv.
Ms. Puja Singh, Adv.
Signature Not Verified Ms. Shodhika Sharma, Adv.
Digitally signed by
NIDHI AHUJA
Date: 2017.08.24
16:37:49 IST
Reason: Mr. C. D. Singh, AOR
Ms. Sakshi Kakkar, Adv.
Mr. Gaurav Shukla, Adv.

1
W.P. (Crl.) No. 156/2016

Mr. Usman, Adv.

UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following

O R D E R

State of Uttar Pradesh (respondent No.3) and State of Gujarat (respondent No.5) are yet to file their counter affidavits.

Last opportunity of four weeks is granted to these two respondents to file their counter affidavits.

Since in this petition the Court is primarily dealing with the issue pertaining to witness protection program, it would be appropriate to issue notice to all other States as well.

The petitioners shall implead other States also as parties and notice shall be served upon them, returnable in four weeks.

Service is also permitted to be effected on the standing counsel for the respective State Governments.

(NIDHI AHUJA) (MADHU NARULA)

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