Section 44 of UAPA : Section 44: Protection Of Witnesses

Explanation using Example

Imagine a situation where an individual is a key witness in a trial concerning a terrorist organization's activities. The witness has critical information that could lead to the conviction of the organization's members. However, there is a credible threat to the witness's life from the organization.

In such a case, the court, upon application by the Public Prosecutor or the witness themselves, decides that the witness's identity must be protected. The judge records the reasons and orders the proceedings to be held in camera, meaning the trial will take place in private, away from the public and media.

Moreover, the court decides to keep the witness's identity and address confidential, not mentioning them in any public records or judgments and may even hold the proceedings at a secure, undisclosed location. Any violation of these protective measures, such as revealing the witness's identity, could result in imprisonment of up to three years and a fine for the person responsible for the breach.