Question

Which Article protects against involuntary narco-analysis?

Hint:

For any “compulsory extraction of information from the mind,” always cite **Article 20(3)** + \textit{Selvi (2010)}.

Answer 1

The constitutional protection against involuntary narco-analysis arises from **Article 20(3)** of the Constitution of India, which states:
“No person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.”
In the landmark judgment Selvi v. State of Karnataka (2010), the Supreme Court held that:

Narco-analysis, polygraph tests, and brain-mapping tests cannot be administered without consent.
These techniques amount to testimonial compulsion when forced, because they extract personal knowledge directly from the mind of the accused.
Article 20(3) protects not only verbal statements but also mental and cognitive processes.
Thus, involuntary narco-analysis violates: \[ \boxed{Article 20(3) – Right against self-incrimination} \] It also implicates Article 21 (right to personal liberty and privacy), but the primary protection is Article 20(3).