38.6c New Delhi, India, Monday, October 07, 2024
Judiciary

Supreme Court Expands The Definition Of Vulnerable Witnesses, Calls For Deposition Centres In All High Courts

By Anurupa Biswas      13 January, 2022 05:46 PM      0 Comments
Supreme Court Vulnerable Witnesses High Courts

The Supreme Court expanded the scope of vulnerable witnesses under Section 3 of the Delhi High Court Guidelines to include victims of sexual assault and mental illness, among others.

A Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and Surya Kant was hearing a plea on the issue of protecting vulnerable witnesses in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment in State of Maharashtra v. Bandu. The court passed many guidelines clarifying that vulnerable witnesses would not only be child witnesses but also victims of age and gender-neutral sexual assault, those suffering from mental illness, those facing hearing or speech impediments and "a person suffering from any disability who is considered vulnerable by the court concerned".

During the hearing, in this case, Senior Advocate Vibha Makhija, acting in her capacity as amicus curiae to the Court, submitted suggestions for effective implementation and completion of setting up Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centres (VWDCs) in all High Courts.

Based on the deliberations that took place in court, the following guidelines were issued-

  • The definition of vulnerable witness in clause 3 of VWVDC scheme formed by Delhi High Court would not be limited to child witnesses, and will include:
  1. age-neutral victims of sexual assault
  2. gender neutral victims of sexual assault
  3. age and gender-neutral victims of sexual assault u/s 377
  4. witnesses suffering from mental illness as defined in the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
  5. any witness is seen to have a threat perception under the Central Government Scheme
  6. any speech or hearing-impaired individual or person suffering from any other disability who is considered to be vulnerable by the court concerned.

 



Share this article:



Leave a feedback about this
TRENDING NEWS


TOP STORIES

sc-criticizes-west-bengal-for-delay-in-cctv-installation-cbi-uncovers-key-leads-in-pg-doctors-rape-murder-case
Trending Judiciary
SC criticizes West Bengal for delay in CCTV installation, CBI uncovers key leads in PG Doctor’s Rape-Murder Case

SC unhappy over tardy CCTV installation in West Bengal; substantial CBI leads in PG doctor rape and murder case; deadline set for Oct 15 completion.

01 October, 2024 11:06 AM
sc-grants-bail-to-malayalam-actor-siddique-in-sexual-assault-case-amid-mollywood-scandal
Trending Judiciary
SC grants bail to Malayalam Actor Siddique in Sexual Assault Case amid Mollywood Scandal [Read Order]

Supreme Court grants interim bail to Malayalam actor Siddique in sexual assault case, providing relief after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by the HC

01 October, 2024 11:11 AM
sc-stays-defamation-case-against-delhi-cm-atishi-kejriwal-over-voter-deletion-allegations
Trending Judiciary
SC stays Defamation Case against Delhi CM Atishi, Kejriwal over voter deletion allegations

SC stays defamation proceedings against Delhi CM Atishi and Arvind Kejriwal over claims of voter deletion, granting interim relief to AAP leaders.

01 October, 2024 11:26 AM
supreme-court-slams-ap-cm-over-tirupati-laddoo-animal-fat-allegations-before-sit-probe
Trending Judiciary
Supreme Court slams AP CM over Tirupati Laddoo Animal Fat allegations before SIT probe [Read Order]

The Supreme Court rebukes AP CM for making public allegations of animal fat in Tirupati Laddoos before an SIT probe or FIR, affecting devotees' sentiments.

01 October, 2024 11:42 AM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email