DA case: Delhi court asks CBI Director to consider plea for security

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has directed the CBI Director to consider the plea of a sitting Congress MLA of Haryana and a prosecution witness in a disproportionate assets case, allegedly involving INLD chief O P Chautala's son Abhay, for providing adequate security to him and his family alleging threat from the accused.

The court said it was not possible for it to evaluate the threat perception to a person and only security forces can do so and directed the CBI Director to take appropriate steps as per law and also intimate it.

"It is not possible for this court to evaluate the threat perception to the witness. Security forces, aided by intelligence agencies, are in a position to evaluate threat perception to a person.

"In view of the aforesaid reasons, Director, CBI, is directed to consider the request of the witness for providing adequate security to him and his family, taking appropriate steps as per law, with intimation to this court," Special CBI Judge Sanjay Garg said.

The court's order came while disposing of an application filed by witness Karan Singh Dalal who represents Palwal in Haryana assembly.

Dalal had sought the court to provide security to him and his family members alleging that they were being threatened by the accused and his family members.

The court noted that Haryana Police have provided security to Dalal and when he appeared before it for his deposition, a constable accompanied him as a security guard.

"A witness in a criminal case is eyes and ears of justice. The law is settled that a witness should be given an environment where he should be able to depose true facts in a carefree manner without any coercion or pressure.

"Admittedly, the applicant is a sitting Congress party MLA from Palwal and accused is leader of opposition of Haryana Vidhan Sabha, being MLA of INLD," the court said.