Section 544[Expenses and protection of complainants, witnesses and victims]

s. 544

544. [Expenses and protection of complainants, witnesses and victims] [(1)] Subject to any [order] made by the Government, any Criminal Court may, if it thinks fit, order payment, on the part of Government, of the reasonable expenses of any complainant or witness attending for the purposes of any inquiry, trial or other proceeding before such Court under this Code. [(2) Any Court may, on the application of any aggrieved person or on its own motion, at any stage of a criminal proceeding, pass such order or take such steps as may be necessary for the protection or security of any informant, complainant, victim or witness.]

1. 579. Sub-section (2) was added by section 27(c) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2026 (Act No. XI of 2026) (With effect from 10th August 2025).