HC asks govt to enact witness protection law
UNB
The High Court (HC) yesterday asked the government to enact a law to protect the security of witnesses and ensure their appearance before the court for the quick disposal of criminal cases, reports UNB.
It also directed the Home and Law secretaries to incorporate a provision in the law to bring the public prosecutors and police under accountability for the absence of witnesses. An HC bench comprising Justice M Enayetur Rahim and Justice Amir Hossain passed the order after hearing a bail petition filed by an accused in a murder case.
HC sources a Dhaka court framed charges against Hira alias Harun, on June 5, 2012 in a murder case after police arrested him on July 10 in 2000.
However, no witnesses appeared before the court to testify against him for 10 times. Later, he filed a bail petition with the High Court.
The HC summoned public prosecutor Asaduzzaman of the court concerned on Monday to explain the reason when he told the court that the accused is an influential person. Hes intimidating witnesses into not turning to the court to testify against him.
After hearing, the bench rejected the bail plea and asked the government to take necessary steps to protect the security of witnesses and ensure their appearance before the court.
Advocate Ahsanullah stood for the accused while deputy attorney general Sheikh AKM Moniruzzaman Kabir represented the state.
