NARCO-ANALYSIS AND THE LAW OF CONFESSIONS IN INDIA: CONSTITUTIONAL AND EVIDENTIARY PERSPECTIVES

AUTHOR – ARPITA SINGH, STUDENT AT AMITY UNIVERSITY

BEST CITATION – ARPITA SINGH, NARCO-ANALYSIS AND THE LAW OF CONFESSIONS IN INDIA: CONSTITUTIONAL AND EVIDENTIARY PERSPECTIVES, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (6) OF 2026, PG. 497-499, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

Abstract

Narco-analysis, often described as a “truth serum” technique, has occupied a controversial space within the Indian criminal justice system. While investigative agencies have occasionally relied upon it to extract concealed information from suspects, its legitimacy under constitutional and evidentiary law remains deeply contested. This paper critically examines the admissibility of confessions obtained through narco-analysis within the Indian legal framework. It analyses statutory provisions under the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, alongside constitutional safeguards enshrined in Articles 20(3) and 21 of the Constitution of India. Through an examination of judicial pronouncements—particularly the landmark decision in Selvi v. State of Karnataka—this paper argues that narco-analysis fails to meet the standards of voluntariness, reliability, and procedural fairness required for admissible confessions. Furthermore, it highlights the ethical and human rights implications of such techniques and situates India’s position within a comparative global context. The study concludes that narco-analysis, while potentially useful as an investigative aid, cannot be treated as substantive evidence and must remain strictly regulated to prevent abuse.