Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance
The Kerala High Court has sought the state government’s response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting the delayed implementation of the Witness Protection Scheme in Kerala, despite its approval by the Supreme Court in 2019. The scheme, formulated in 2018, aims to safeguard witnesses in criminal cases through threat assessment, protection measures, and the establishment of competent authorities and witness protection cells. The PIL, filed by retired Superintendent of Police P.M. Joseph Saju, underscores the scheme’s provisions, including periodic reviews and a witness protection fund, and cites instances like the Attapady Madhu murder and the Franco Mulakkal case where witness protection was either granted or needed. The state government’s response, including the draft ‘Kerala Witness Protection Scheme 2026,’ is awaited, with the court expecting urgent finalization.
For Banking, SSC, and RBI Grade B aspirants, this issue is relevant as it touches upon governance, judicial activism, and constitutional provisions. The delayed implementation of such schemes reflects challenges in policy execution and inter-departmental coordination, which are critical for civil services examinations. Additionally, the role of the judiciary in ensuring accountability—such as the High Court’s intervention—highlights the importance of judicial review in governance, a key topic in polity and governance sections of competitive exams. Understanding witness protection schemes also aligns with broader themes of law and order, which are frequently tested in these examinations.
Source: The Hindu
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