A Delhi court today directed CBI to ensure that witnesses, who had sought security and livelihood, appear in a "fearless" atmosphere to depose before it in a 1984 anti-Sikh riots case involving Congress leader Sajjan Kumar.
District Judge J R Aryan, who did not direct the government to provide them security so that they can give "uninfluenced and unbiased" testimony, also asked the investigating officer of the case to give his mobile number to the witnesses so that they can inform him about any kind of incident to hamper their free state of mind while giving evidence.
"...But still considering this submission made by the counsel H S Phoolka, investigating officer (IO) is directed to ensure that witnesses are provided confidence to appear in a fearless atmosphere in court.
"It has been suggested to the IO that he can provide his mobile number to material public witnesses and witnesses be informed to contact the IO in any eventuality of any kind of incident/happening to hamper their free state of mind while coming forward to give their evidence," the court said.
