Context:

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) Stated that all accused have a ‘Right to silence’ and investigators cannot force them to speak up or admit guilt as emphasising that the Constitution accords every person a right against self-incrimination.

Supreme Court’s observations on the Right to Silence:

• The Constitution grants the right to remain silent: The court emphasised that the Constitution of India gives individuals the right against self-incrimination, stating that no one can be forced to be a witness against themselves.
• Cooperation does not mean confession: The court clarified that cooperation with an investigation should not be seen as an admission of guilt. 
  • Remaining silent cannot be considered non-cooperation, as individuals have the right to choose not to speak.
• Prosecution’s burden of proof: It is the responsibility of the prosecution to prove the accused’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. 
• Refusing confession doesn’t limit freedom: The court stated that an accused person cannot be deprived of their freedom solely because they have not admitted to the alleged crimes. 

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Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 20: It grants protection against arbitrary and excessive punishment to an accused person, whether citizen or foreigner or legal person like a company or a corporation. It contains three provisions in that direction:
  • No ex-post-facto law, No double jeopardy, No self-incrimination.
  • No self-incrimination: No person accused of any offense shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.
• Article 20(3): It states that “no person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.” 
  • The protection of this clause is limited only to criminal proceedings. Therefore, under civil proceedings, a person cannot refuse to answer a question using the defence of Article 20(3).

Supreme Court Rulings:

• The State of Bombay versus Kathi Kalu Oghad (1961): The Supreme Court ruled that obtaining photographs, fingerprints, signatures, and thumb impressions would not violate the right against self-incrimination of an accused. 
• Ritesh Sinha versus State of Uttar Pradesh (2019): The Supreme Court in its ruling broadened the parameters of handwriting samples to include voice samples, adding that this would not violate the right against self-incrimination.
• Selvi v State of Karnataka (2010): The Supreme Court held that a narcoanalysis test without the consent of the accused would amount to violation of the right against self-incrimination.

News Source: The Hindustan Times