Save the witness
By now, India should have had a witness protection programme. All robust democracies have agencies for this purpose
As the Central Bureau of Investigation begins its probe into the admissions scam in Madhya Pradesh, an uphill task awaits it for many witnesses in the case have died.
A criminal investigation and prosecution are as good as the witnesses it has. In this case, the alleged masterminds behind the scam have done a thorough job of dismantling the chain of evidence.
By now, India should have had a witness protection programme. All robust democracies have agencies for this purpose that are equipped with the necessary infrastructure—safe houses, transport systems and all that is needed to keep witnesses alive.
If there is one practical lesson to be learnt from this case, it is this. The job is too vital to be entrusted to local police forces who are often compromised in such cases. An independent agency that answers to the higher judiciary—only for overall accountability and not on operational matters—is one possible solution.
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