56. Powers, duties and functions of the Protection Division

to investigate or inquire into complaints received by the Protection Division or referred to the

to provide assistance and protection to victims of crime and witnesses;

to lay down conditions for admitting a victim of crime or witness into a specific programme referred to in section 59;

in the case of imminent threat to any victim of crime or witness, provide immediate protection to such victim of crime or witness;

to provide necessary guidance and advice, on request by a police station, with regard to the conduct of an investigation or inquiry into an offence under this Act by such police station;

on receipt of a direction issued by the Authority based on the gravity and the seriousness of the circumstances, to take over any investigation or inquiry into any offence under this Act against any victim of crime or witness; and

where the Protection Division is of the opinion that the gravity and the seriousness of any alleged offence under this Act warrants its intervention in the conduct of the investigation or inquiry into such offence, to take over such investigation or inquiry, with the concurrence of the Authority.