The Supreme Court has broadened the scope of the committee it established last month to investigate the issue of “stock witnesses” frequently utilized by law enforcement in multiple cases.
In its order dated March 19, a Bench consisting of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan expressed concern regarding the practice of using these witnesses, stating, “The matter of stock witnesses and their casual introduction in FIRs, as well as their subsequent inclusion in chargesheets, raises significant issues. Such witnesses are often added merely as a formality, which results in many of them retracting their support for the prosecution because they may not have actually been present at the scene, being included only to fulfill a procedural requirement or due to coercion.”
To enhance trust in investigative and judicial processes, the court emphasized the need to establish a standard protocol. Justice Vivek Agarwal from the Madhya Pradesh High Court was appointed as the committee’s chair, alongside Additional Solicitors General K M Nataraj and S D Sanjay, senior advocates Siddharth Dave, S Nagamuthu, and Sanjay Hegde, and Harinarayanachari Mishra, Inspector General of Police at the State Crime Records Bureau in Bhopal.
On Thursday, the court further expanded the committee by adding three additional legal experts, including senior advocate Sonia Mathur. The committee is expected to complete its work and submit a report or recommendations within a month.
Stock witnesses refer to individuals who are readily accessible to the police and investigative bodies across various cases, primarily to support the official narrative presented by these agencies.
According to senior advocate Rebecca John, stock witnesses are particularly significant in specific categories of cases, such as those involving narcotics or bribery under the Prevention of Corruption Act. These cases necessitate independent witness corroboration of actions like seizures and searches conducted by investigative agencies, as well as the timing of alleged bribes.
John noted that reliance on stock witnesses has become deeply ingrained within the criminal justice system. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court remarked that the frequent reuse of identical witnesses to back police accounts undermines the integrity and impartiality of investigations, posing a serious threat to the principles of law and justice.
The current matter arose from an application submitted by Asad Ali Warsi, an attorney based in Indore, as part of a bail petition for a client detained under the Essential Commodities Act. The application highlighted the “improper use of stock witnesses in hundreds of FIRs filed” over the year from November 2023 to November 2024 at a single police station in Indore.
Sohini Ghosh is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, having recently transitioned from Ahmedabad to the New Delhi bureau, where her focus is primarily on legal developments within the Delhi High Court.
Background: Ghosh is an alumna of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) and previously worked at ET NOW before joining The Indian Express.
Core Beats: Her current reporting centers on the Delhi High Court, covering high-profile constitutional matters, intellectual property disputes, criminal and civil cases, as well as human rights and regulatory law, particularly in technology and healthcare.
Earlier Specialty: In Gujarat, Ghosh gained recognition for her comprehensive reporting on crime, law, policy, and social justice issues, including significant events such as the 2002 riots, the 2008 serial bomb blast case, and the 2016 flogging of Dalits in Una. She has also extensively reported on health issues in the state, including a notable investigation into the segregation of wards by faith at the largest government hospital in April 2020. Additionally, her coverage of urban development and heritage issues in Ahmedabad, a UNESCO heritage city, included the redevelopment of the Sabarmati Ashram.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025): Ghosh has reported extensively on major political, constitutional, corporate, and public-interest legal battles from the Delhi High Court, including compensation claims related to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. She has also covered the intersection of technology and governance, exploring its implications for citizens beyond the courtroom, such as the government’s consultations regarding AI and deepfake policy.
Signature Style: Sohini Ghosh is recognized for her in-depth reporting from courtrooms and beyond, specializing in making complex legal arguments accessible to readers. Her move from Gujarat to Delhi has allowed her to broaden her focus on regulatory, corporate, and intellectual property law while maintaining a strong dedication to human rights and addressing deficiencies within the criminal justice system.
Twitter: @thanda_ghosh
