New Delhi, Aug 10: Union Cabinet today approved a legislation to amend the Criminal Procedure Code to prevent witnesses from turning hostile among other things. A bill to amend the CrPC Act would be introduced during the current session of Parliament, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.
"Such witnesses who turn hostile should also face punishment... this is one of the highlights of the proposed bill," Swaraj said.
Another highlight of the legislation would be to make it compulsory for all statements by witnesses recorded in front of a magistrate instead of police as of now, she said, but refused to elaborate on the grounds that parliament, which had the privilege to discuss the law, was in session.
Bureau Report