In Brief
A first informant sought cancellation of an accused's bail for violating conditions by threatening witnesses. The High Court instead directed the complainant to the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018, effectively dismissing the bail cancellation application. The Supreme Court held that the Witness Protection Scheme is not an alternative to bail cancellation. Bail cancellation is a preventive judicial function ensuring trials remain unpolluted by intimidation; the Scheme is curative, addressing fear's psychological impact. Both mechanisms operate in parallel, not as substitutes. The Court remanded the matter for the High Court to decide on bail cancellation merits, applying established principles, and directed the Registry to send this precedent to all High Courts.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.