Supreme Court Seeks Response from Madhya Pradesh
The Supreme Court recently sought a response from the State of Madhya Pradesh regarding its failure to frame and notify rules for witness protection under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
A Bench of Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Augustine George Masih issued a notice limited to this aspect after hearing arguments in a petition filed by a minor Dalit girl through her mother.
- The petition highlighted the absence of a statutory framework under Section 398 BNSS.
- The section requires every State to operationalise a witness protection mechanism.
The case arose out of repeated incidents of sexual assault and intimidation in Ratlam district.
The minor victim and her family alleged relentless threats from the accused and his associates.
Author's summary: Supreme Court seeks Madhya Pradesh's response on witness protection rules.