Ahmedabad, May 08: Relocation of witnesses and changing their identity in extreme circumstances for their protection during trials are being considered by the Supreme Court appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing afresh some of the post-Godhra riot cases.
Deliberations are underway to finalise the plan for witness protection when the trials begin in the (2002) riot cases, which will be conducted by the Fast Track Courts as directed by the Apex Court.
However, the process is still on and nothing has been decided as of now, SIT chairman and former CBI director R K Raghavan told today.
"There are some ideas that are being deliberated which include a helpline for witnesses. Another idea is changing the identity of the witness under extreme circumstances. But it will take some time to come up with concrete plan," he said.
Raghavan was in Gujarat early this week to deliberate with senior officers over the witness protection and related issues. He had said that providing protection to witnesses in various riot cases will be his top priority.
Another senior officer of the SIT said that normally protection is given to witness by assigning him with guard who will accompany him.
The SIT is also pondering over idea of assigning a nodal officer to deal with complaints of witnesses once trials in the riot cases begin, SIT official said.
Also, under extreme circumstances, the witnesses are relocated within the city or to another city, the officer said.
Bureau Report
