The project ‘Witness Protection Scheme in Karnataka’ began in June 2025 to address one of the most pressing challenges in India’s criminal justice system, the protection of witnesses. Despite the centrality of witness testimony to criminal proceedings, India continues to face severe challenges due to intimidation, threats, and hostility faced by witnesses. The issue is particularly acute in high-profile and organised crime cases, often resulting in acquittals and a loss of public confidence in justice delivery.
In 2018, the Ministry of Home Affairs, in consultation with the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD), introduced the Witness Protection Scheme, following the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Mahender Chawla v. Union of India case. While the scheme marked an important step in institutionalising witness protection, its implementation and effectiveness remain inadequately studied, especially at the state level.
With the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) 2023 now mandating each state to develop its own scheme, this project seeks to support Karnataka in developing a robust, evidence-based, and context specific witness protection framework.
The project is funded by Hanns Siedel Stiftung.
Project Description
The project aims to critically evaluate and strengthen the existing witness protection mechanisms in Karnataka through in-depth research, stakeholder engagement, and comparative analysis of international best practices. It seeks to bridge the gap between policy intent and on-ground implementation, enabling Karnataka to formulate a model witness protection scheme that can be adapted by other states as well.
Objectives
- Studying the nature and extent of threats faced by witnesses in criminal proceedings
- Engaging with diverse stakeholders including judges, police officials, prosecutors, defence lawyers, witnesses, NALSA, and KSLSA to understand operational challenges
- Analysing the functioning of current witness protection measures in Karnataka
- Evaluating the 2018 Witness Protection Scheme (WPS) to identify gaps and potential reforms
- Reviewing international frameworks and best practices to inform the design of a context-specific model for Karnataka
- Disseminating findings through policy briefs, consultations, and seminars
The project’s outcomes will include a study report on the functioning of WPS in Karnataka, informed by research, consultation, and international cooperation, including an exchange with the Bavarian police to study comparative models.
Collaborating institutions include NALSA, KSLSA, relevant departments of the Government of Karnataka, the police, civil society organisations, and academic experts.
Expected Outcomes:
- A comprehensive understanding of current challenges
- A study report for Karnataka
- Strengthened institutional and stakeholder capacity to implement effective witness protection
Key Activities / Components
- Doctrinal and empirical research on witness protection laws and implementation across India
- RTI-based data collection and analysis on protection requests, approvals, and enforcement mechanisms
- Stakeholder consultation workshops (three workshops, two days each) with representatives from judiciary, police, prosecution, and civil society
- Comparative study of international best practices in witness protection
- Exchange programme with Bavarian police to learn from European models
- Development of a draft witness protection scheme for Karnataka
- Preparation of policy briefs with actionable recommendations
- Dissemination seminar (two days) to share key findings and the draft scheme
Duration
June 2025- End of 2026
Resources
Planned outputs under this project include:
- Comprehensive Research Report on the state of witness protection in India and Karnataka
- Comparative Report on international best practices
- Draft Witness Protection Scheme for Karnataka
- Policy Brief on improving witness protection mechanisms
Team
Prof. Rahul Raman, Project Lead & Assistant Professor, NLSIU
Vidisha, Project Assistant, NLSIU
