The Supreme Court of India gave an important judgment on 4 September 2025 in Phireram v. State of Uttar Pradesh and Anr. - is a case concerning abuse of the Witness Protection Scheme as an alternative to cancellation of bail. Applicant, Phireram, had moved the Allahabad High Court cancelling bail that had been granted to the accused in a murder case (Sections 302, 201, 364, 120-B, 34 IPC) on the grounds that the accused was threatening witnesses. Allahabad High Court rejected the plea and instructed the complainant to obtain protection under the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018, rather than address the cancellation of bail. These "cyclostyled" orders were condemned by the Supreme Court which made clear that the Witness Protection Scheme is not preventive but curative in nature, which had replaced the role of bail cancellation. The Court ordered the Allahabad High Court to re-hear the cancellation application on merits, get the report of an Investigating Officer and to dispose the issue within four weeks. The ruling underlines that the witness protection may not supersede the judicial control over a bail violation.