Monirul Molla v. State of West Bengal and Ors.
Case brief
What is this about?
Calcutta High Court, WPA 667 of 2025 (decision 12.02.2025), Tirthankar Ghosh, J. — Monirul Molla v. State of West Bengal & Ors.; witness in Bijoygunge Bazar P.S. Case No. 23/24 dated 06.02.2024 (IPC, PDPP Act, Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act, Maintenance of Public Order Act) alleging threat by respondent no.7 after bail; charge-sheet filed; proceeding under Section 126 BNSS pending; remedy channelled through Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 before Magistrate/Trial Court with reliance on Mahender Chawla v. Union of India, (2019) 14 SCC 615; writ disposed of.
What did the court decide?
Writ petition and pending applications disposed of with observations: petitioner may apply before the learned Magistrate/Trial Court in seisin of Bijoygunge Bazar P.S. Case No. 23/24 for protection under the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018; the Magistrate/Trial Court to assess threat perception on a report from the local police station or investigating officer and, if warranted, pass necessary order(s) in accordance with the Scheme or the Mahender Chawla judgment ((2019) 14 SCC 615); police authorities to oversee dilution of the petitioner's apprehension; State's report to be kept with the record.