‘No protection for witness after hearing’

The Bombay high court today refused to interfere in a petition filed by a Thane-based businessman challenging the removal of the police protection given to him for being a witness in a criminal case, observing that there appears to be no threat perception to him.

The division bench of justice AM Khanwilkar and justice AP Bhangale was hearing a petition filed by Durgaram Chowdhary, who was made witness in a criminal case following the arrest of four gangsters of the Bunty Pandey gang by the Anti-Terrorism Squad on March 30, 2008.

His petition stated that he had received calls even after protection was withdrawn after August this year. He deposed in the case in May 2010 and the trial concluded on July 7, 2010. The police have said that there are no threats to him now.

The judges said the authorities’ decision would have been after examining this aspect. Disposing of the petition, they said the case does not call for any judicial interference.