TYPES OF PROTECTION:
The witness protection measures ordered shall be proportional to the threat and for limited duration. They may include:
- Ensuring that witness and accused do not come face to face during investigation or trial;
- Monitoring of mail and telephone calls;
- Arrangement with the telephone company to change the witness’s telephone number or assign him or her an unlisted telephone number;
- Installation of security devices in the witness’s home such as security doors, CCTV, alarms, fencing etc;
- Concealment of identity of the witness by referring to him/her with the changed name or alphabet;
- Emergency contact persons for the witness;
- Close protection, regular patrolling around the witness’s house;
- Temporary change of residence to a relative’s house or a nearby town;
- Escort to and from the court and provision of Government vehicle or a State funded conveyance for the date of hearing;
- Holding of in-camera trials;
- Allowing a support person to remain present during recording of statement and deposition;
- Usage of specially designed vulnerable witness court rooms which have special arrangements like live links, one way mirrors and screens apart from separate passages for witnesses and accused, with option to modify the image of face of the witness and to modify the audio feed of the witness’ voice, so that he/she is not identifiable;
- Ensuring expeditious recording of deposition during trial on day to day basis without adjournments;
- Awarding time to time periodical financial aids/grants to the witness from Witness Protection Fund for the purpose of re-location, sustenance or starting new vocation/profession, if desired;
- Any other form of protection measures considered necessary, and specifically, those requested by the witness.