New Delhi. During the hearing of a case today, the Supreme Court, criticizing dependence on the centuries -old methods of investigation and emphasized on providing immediate protection to the witnesses. Hearing the application for cancellation of bail of businessman Suryakant Tiwari in the Chhattisgarh Coal Levi scam case, the court said, in some cases it happens that the person is kept in jail only to show that the law is doing its work. Along with this, the apex court also emphasized the need for the formation of special courts.
According to the bar and bench, a bench of Justices Suryakant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that even today the states do not spend money and time on the safety of witnesses. The bench further said that we send people to jail so that the message will be sent to the message that work is being done under your own law. On being accused by the state government that Tiwari tried to threaten a co-accused while in jail, the bench asked if the jail was the only available means to ensure the safety of witnesses. Justice Bagchi asked, the only way to protect the witnesses is to keep the accused in jail? How much money your state has given for witness safety scheme? Nothing, is this an old 18th century investigation?
The bench further said, due to the continuous delay in cases, the impact of criminal proceedings decreases and granting bail naturally becomes a standard. Justice Suryakant said, if it takes 5 years or 7 years for these cases to be completed, then it is certain that nothing is going to happen. He said that there is a need for such dedicated courts that do not hear any other case. But many states lack financial capacity to set up such dedicated courts.
