Witness Identity Protection - Law Commission of India

44Chapter IVQuestionnaire in Chapter VIII of Consultation Paper: ResponsesBefore we take up discussion of the important issues, as alreadystated, it is necessary to analyse the responses to the Consultation Paper.Responses to the Consultation PaperWe may state that the subject matter of Witness Anonymity andWitness Protection Programmes is directly connected with the proceduralaspects of due process in the criminal justice system. Therefore, the LawCommission felt it necessary to obtain views and suggestions of all theimportant players in the criminal justice system. In order to elicit responsesfrom all important agencies and persons on the relevant issues, theCommission circulated an exhaustive Consultation Paper along with itssummary and questionnaire, in August 2004 and it was sent to the UnionGovernment and all the State Governments, Directors General of Police ofall States, Judges of Supreme Court and High Courts, Bar Associations,Human Right Commission of Union and States. Consultation Paper wasalso placed on Law Commission’s website.The Consultation Paper received widespread recognition not onlywithin the country but outside the country also. Apart from the viewsexpressed in various seminars, the Commission received fifty two responsesin writing. Among the respondents, 11 were from the State Governments, 1from State Law Commission, 12 from Directors General/Inspectors General