https://lawjournals.celnet.in/index.php/njcl <p>National Journal of Criminal Law aims to publish manuscripts relating to a wider knowledge of law and order in the society for protecting the life and liberty of people. People place their ultimate belief in Criminal law for protection against all injuries that humans can inflict on individuals. The National Journal of Criminal Law has been so designed as to generate critical thinking among students, practitioners and eminent academicians about the stated objectives of criminal law and to enable them to scrutinize the recent developments and changes that have taken place in the field.</p> en-US [email protected] (Mr. Gagan Kumar (Associate Editor)) [email protected] (Ms. Ankita Srivastava (Journal Manager)) Sun, 31 May 2026 17:12:25 +0000 OJS 3.3.0.5 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 https://lawjournals.celnet.in/index.php/njcl/article/view/2094 <p>India&amp;#39;s criminal justice system relies on witness protection to combat 25% first-time and 50% second-time witness hostility, which leads to acquittals in key criminal prosecutions. From early court responses to the latest witness protection measures, this review study examines legal provisions, scheme operation, and systemic integration at investigation, trial, and post- trial phases. Threat-level-wise witness protection strategies, Delhi&amp;#39;s 65% application approvals, and 20% reduced hostility in POCSO cases show that A (life threats: relocation, change of identity), B (safety risks: escorts, safe homes), and C (harassment: screens, counseling) work. Together with videoconferencing and in-camera trials, they have advanced justice. Significant issues remain: 40% of districts lack functional cells, 60% of funds are unutilized, 30% of threat reports are denied owing to police mistrust, and post-judgment safety procedures are insufficient, resulting in 60-70% effectiveness versus worldwide standards. The National Crime Records Bureau reports less than 10% convictions in 4,500+ IPC Section 195 and the intimidation cases, which are exacerbated by prosecutorial errors in top-level organized crime and riot cases. There is room for improvement compared to the US WITSEC program&amp;#39;s 98% success through permanent protection, the UK&amp;#39;s 85% statutory anonymity, and Canada&amp;#39;s blended strategy. A separate Witness Protection Act with 7-10 years imprisonment as punishment, allocating 1% of the justice budget (500+ crore annually), using AI for threat detection, setting up infrastructure nationwide, and protecting high-risk witnesses are needed to reduce hostility by 30-40%, increase conviction rates, and protect<br>Article 21 fair trial rights.</p> Vandana, Akanksha Garg Agarwal Copyright (c) 2026 National Journal of Criminal Law https://lawjournals.celnet.in/index.php/njcl/article/view/2094 Sun, 31 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000