HC terms hostile witnesses' problem a cancer

Allahabad, Sep 3 (UNI) Allahabad High Court has observed that problem of hostile witnesses has become a cancer, which affECTS our legal system and appears to be virtually all pervasive in case of politically influential accused.

The observation came, when the judgements involving public representatives sent by the trial courts was persuaded by the judges. Out of 66 judgements, received so far, as many as 65 had ended in acquittals.

Such are cases mostly related to murders, robbery, dacoity, land grabbing, abduction, extortion, crime, intimidation and violence.

The HC asked the DGP Vikam Singh and state of Uttar Pradesh as to what steps had been taken for ensuring that witnesses were not put under pressure by politically influenced accused and they are produced in court on the fixed date.

The court also also directed the HC registry to seek a detailed explanation from all the session and other trial judges, who have recorded acquittals in the cases involving public representatives, principally on the ground that the witnesses turned hostile.

Four weeks time has been granted to the BSP government for furnishing information with regard to the withdrawal of the prosecution against the elected public representatives, who were elected in the recent assembly elections.

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