HC for providing security to witnesses, families

The High Court today asked the government why it should not be directed to take steps to ensure security to the witnesses of criminal cases.

The HC bench of Justice Gobinda Chandra Tagore and Justice Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty came up with a rule following a writ petition moved by Komol Kumar Nath, a prosecution witness of a yaba-related case.

Komol submitted the writ petition to the HC on Tuesday seeking necessary directives on the government to ensure security to him and his family and the witnesses of all criminal cases.

Komol gave statement as a prosecution witness before a Chittagong court in August last year against Ashok Biswas, an accused of yaba recovery case, his lawyer Komol's lawyer Chowdhury Shamsul Arifin told The Daily Star.

Police filed the case with Kotwali Police Station in Chittagong on March 24, 2011, after recovering 1,175 yaba tablets from his possession.

Ashok Biswas has been threatening Komol Kumar Nath for giving statement against Ashok, the lawyer said.

Kamal Kumar Nath on February 15 this year submitted an application inspector general of police requesting him to give security and safety to him and his family members. But the IGP's office did not respond to his application, Shamsul Arifin said.

The HC on Wednesday asked the IGP to explain as to why his inaction to dispose of the application of Komol should not be declared illegal.

Today, the court also directed the police administration to ensure security and safety to Komol and his family members.

Citing from the writ petition, Samsul Arifin said that witness of criminal cases are not interested to appear before the court for giving statements due to lack of security.

Therefore, the trial proceedings of such cases are hampered and justice seekers are deprived of justice.

Though witnesses are given security and protection in many countries of the world, witnesses, excepting those of war crimes cases, do not get any security here in Bangladesh.