State policy to provide police protection to the witness:HC

New Delhi, Apr 2 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today asked the Delhi Police to state the policy of providing police protection to the witness facing threats from accused.

While hearing a petition by a witness seeking police protection, Justice Reva Khetrapal directed the police to state in affidavit the policy of the police in this regard by May 9, the next date of hearing.

Counsel Rajeev Awasthi appearing for Vijay Kumar, a witness, submitted before the court that the police should provide protection as there was a threat to his life.

''What policy had been followed for ensuring the safety and security of the witnesses in sensitive cases when it is brought to the notice of the police?'' said the petition.

Vijay, Rohit Sehgal and Sukhvinder Singh were witnesses to the alleged murder of Murari at Shastri Nagar on July 8, 2006.

Himanshu, Sunil, Ramesh Sharma, Sesh Bahadur and Sunil Kumar allegedly killed Murari in front of his house.

Whereas four of the accused were in judicial custody, Sunil Kumar was absconding, said a status report filed by the police.

On December 10, 2006, Rohit, his friends Sukhvinder and Virender were attacked by some persons while they had gone to J J Colony in Wazirpur to attend an engagement ceremony.

The police said Jitu alias Jitender of Bunker Colony in Ashok Vihar had been arrested for allegedly stabbing Rohit.

The petition has sought the direction of the court to the police to provide security to the witness.

UNI