Madras HC Seeks Report From State On Lapses In Probing Criminal Cases, Delay In Prosecuting Offenders & Framing Witness Protection Scheme

The Madras High Court has directed the State Government, the Director General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Superintendent of Cuddalore Central Prison to submit a report regarding serious lapses in investigating pending criminal cases and subsequent delays in prosecuting offenders along with setting up a Witness Protection Scheme in the State. The court added that the dereliction of duty on the part of investigating officers and other police officers in prosecuting offenders would in turn embolden the offenders to commit further offences. The court also opined that a dedicated investigation team comprising of efficient officers be constituted at the Taluk level, District level, and State level who can conduct investigations in complicated cases and also guide other police officers to conduct proper investigation by adopting technical and scientific procedures. The court noted that many criminal cases, are not taken on file, observing that the term “not taken on file” is unknown to the Criminal Procedure Code.