New Delhi: The first line of the police probe into the murder of Rachna Yadav is that she may have been bumped off because she was a witness in her husband’s murder, and Bharat Yadav, a suspect in that case and not arrested yet, was probably involved. If so, it would be yet another witness killing in the city.In the past one year, at least four such incidents were reported, raising questions about the witness protection apparatus in place. The latest murder particularly highlighted the need to identify vulnerable witnesses and suo motu, protect them.While Delhi has its own witness protection guidelines since last year, besides central govt’s 2018 notification, the implementation needs attention, a retired officer pointed out. “While witness murders may be a few, they are often threatened and asked not to depose in the court. If such complaints are nipped in the bud, it might not reach the level of killing,” he added.As the volume of such complaints is high and the resources are limited, police often do not treat all of them as top priority, sources said.In foreign countries, the witness protection plan comprises several measures, including the installation of security doors, CCTV cameras, alarms and fencing in witnesses’ homes. In cases of grave threats, witnesses and their families are relocated to safety.The US Marshals Service operates the witness security programme, which provides protection and new identities and social security numbers to witnesses and their families. This programme was instrumental in securing convictions in high-profile cases, including organised crime and terrorism cases. “A personalised protection plan is developed for each witness. This plan takes into account the witness’s specific needs, circumstances and the level of risk. Witnesses are provided with secure communication methods to prevent interception or eavesdropping by potential threats,” said the officer.Italy’s programme is instrumental in combating organised crime, providing protection and new identities to witnesses. Australia’s national witness security programme, too, aims to secure witnesses and their families.Cops in Delhi said they take steps ranging from naming the witnesses in codewords in chargesheets in sensitive cases to providing security cover. Delhi Police has a dedicated witness protection cell at the district level, headed by an additional DCP-rank officer, which acts on threat analysis reports. “A standing committee, chaired by a district and sessions judge, acts as the competent authority to decide on witness protection applications,” an officer explained.
