16. Protection of witnesses. –(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code, the proceedings under this Act may be held in camera if the Designated Court so desires.
(2) A Designated Court may, on an application made by a witness in any proceedings before it or by the Public Prosecutor in relation to such witness or on its own motion, take such measures as it deems fit for keeping the identity and address of any witness secret.
(3) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of subsection (2), the measures, which a Designated Court may take under that sub-section may include,
(a) The holding of the proceedings at a place to be decided by the Designated Court;
(b) The avoiding of the mention of the names and addresses of the witnesses in its orders or judgments or in any records of the case accessible to public;
(c) The issuing of any directions for securing that the identity and addresses of the witnesses are not disclosed;
(d) That it is in the public interest to order that all or any of the proceedings pending before such a court shall not be published in any manner.
(4) Any person who contravenes any direction issued under subsection (3) shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year and with fine, which may extend to one thousand rupees.
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