The IG Administration of Tamil Nadu Police, P.Senthamarai, today told the Madras High Court bench here that the police department was concerned about the decline in the rate of conviction and increase in acquittal due to absence of protection to witnesses, resulting in their turning hostile in Tamil Nadu.
He made the submission in response to the direction of the bench asking the DGP, the Union Law Commission Secretary and the Home Secretary to explain the measures available for protection of witnesses in heinous crimes.
Police were giving protection to witnesses in important cases including cases of rape, murder and kidnapping, he said.
In a few exceptional cases, the accused who came out on bail took revenge on the witnesses. But if the witnesses apprehended any danger or threat from accused and informed police, they would provide necessary protection, he added.
Besides, the Law commission of India, in its report on "witness identity protection and witness protection programmes," had suggested a bill to enact a law on the subject, the IG said.
Justice N.Kirubakaran, who directed police to submit detailed statistics on cases relating to threats to witnesses and attack or murder of witnesses in the state, posted the case for hearing on October 8.
