HC issues guidelines for trial in henious offences

Recording of testimonies of key witnesses in henious crime should be done at the earliest point of time during the trial, the Delhi High Court today said while passing a slew of guidelines to trial courts.
The court said the directions would be applicable to trials of cases involving grave offences punishable with more than seven years' imprisonment.
"As far as practicable, public witnesses, and in particular eye witnesses, should be examined at the earliest point in time once the witness action commences," one of the directions said.
About the other directions, the high court said "at every hearing, the trial court will note the status of summoning of the public witnesses. It will elicit from the APP (prosecutor) and record the reasons for the non-appearance of the public witnesses summoned for that date."

Thirdly, in relation to "vulnerable witnesses, particularly eye witnesses," the trial court will enquire in relation to each of them even at the time of their summoning whether in the assessment of prosecutor, they would require police protection and pass appropriate orders in that regard.