Defence Counsel Scandalising and Insulting Moral Integrity of Complainants or Witnesses during Cross-examination in Sexual or Child Abuse Cases

31 Asst Prof Mahdev Mohan asked Minister for Law in each year since 2011, how many instances have there been of cross-examination by defence counsel which have been calculated to scandalise and insult the moral integrity of complainants or witnesses in criminal trials concerning sexual or child abuse offences.

Mr K Shanmugam: We do not have the specific numbers requested. However, our discussions with both the Courts and the Bar indicate that while this is not yet a serious problem, such conduct does take place.