Article 20 of the Indian Constitution “Protection in respect of conviction for offences” safeguards individuals accused of crimes by prohibiting retrospective criminal laws, double jeopardy, and compelling self- incrimination.
- Prohibition of Retrospective Criminal Laws Article 20(1):
- No person can be convicted of an offense unless they violated a law that was in force at the time of the commission of the act.
- No one can be subjected to a penalty greater than what could have been imposed under the law in force at the time of the offense.
- Protection Against Double Jeopardy Article 20(2):
- No person shall be prosecuted and punished for the same offense more than once.
- This principle prevents individuals from being subjected to multiple trials or punishments for the same offense.
- Protection Against Compelled Self-Incrimination Article 20(3):
- No person accused of any offense shall be compelled to be a witness against themselves.
- This means that an accused person cannot be forced to give evidence that could incriminate them.
- This protection extends to the stage of investigation, not just during a trial.