3 weeks ago
Delhi court rejects NEET accused's plea for polygraph tests
Sometimes police and courts want to know if people are telling the truth.
There are special tests, like lie detector tests or medicine that makes people sleepy and talk, that try to read the mind.
But in India, judges say no one can be forced to take these tests.
That is because your thoughts are private, and the test can make you say things you never meant to say.
In this story, three people accused of leaking an important exam paper asked a court to let them take these tests to show they were innocent.
The judge said no.
He thought the request was only a way to make the case go slower.
The police also said they had already finished their investigation, so the tests were not needed.
Even when people agree to take such tests, the results cannot be used as proof of guilt in court.
That is because a person is not in control of their answers during the test.
Three accused in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case volunteered for polygraph and brain mapping tests to establish their innocence and help the CBI trace the real culprits.
On Monday, August 10, Special Judge Ajay Gupta of the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi rejected the plea, calling it a sheer abuse of the process of law aimed at delaying the proceedings.
The CBI opposed the application, arguing it was not maintainable because the chargesheet had already been filed and its investigation was concluded.
The Supreme Court in Selvi v State of Karnataka (2010) ruled that compulsory narco analysis, polygraph and BEAP tests violate the right against self-incrimination (Article 20(3)) and personal liberty (Article 21) and intrude on mental privacy.
Even voluntary tests require consent recorded before a judicial magistrate under NHRC guidelines, and results cannot be admitted as evidence; in Amlesh Kumar v State of Bihar (2025), the Supreme Court set aside a Patna High Court order allowing narco analysis at the bail stage.
- Who
- Three accused in the NEET UG 2026 paper leak case, Special Judge Ajay Gupta, and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
- What
- A Delhi court rejected the accused's plea to voluntarily undergo polygraph and brain mapping tests.
- Where
- Rouse Avenue Court, New Delhi, India
- When
- Monday, August 10
- Why
- The court deemed the plea a delay tactic and an abuse of the process of law, since the CBI had already filed its chargesheet and concluded its investigation.
Supporters of Voluntary Testing
Court and Prosecution View
Accused's request for tests
Supporters of Voluntary Testing
The three accused volunteered to undergo polygraph and brain mapping tests to establish their innocence and assist the CBI in tracing the real culprits.
Court and Prosecution View
The court called the plea a sheer abuse of the process of law filed to delay proceedings, and the CBI said the chargesheet was already filed, so no assistance was required.
Evidentiary value of test results
Supporters of Voluntary Testing
An accused who freely consents should be allowed to use such tests to support their defence.
Court and Prosecution View
Under Selvi (2010), test results can never be admitted as evidence because the subject does not exercise conscious control over the responses; permission remains a matter of judicial discretion.
Lie detection in investigations
Supporters of Voluntary Testing
These techniques can extract information and help trace the real culprits when ordinary questioning fails.
Court and Prosecution View
Compulsory administration is an unjustified intrusion into mental privacy that violates Article 20(3) and Article 21 and may amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
Key facts
- Case
- NEET UG 2026 paper leak
- Tests requested
- Polygraph and brain mapping (BEAP) tests
- Court
- Rouse Avenue Court (Fast Track Court), New Delhi
- Judge
- Special Judge Ajay Gupta
- Order date
- Monday, August 10
- Key precedent
- Selvi v State of Karnataka (2010)
- Recent ruling
- Amlesh Kumar v State of Bihar (2025), Justices Sanjay Karol and Prasanna B Varale
- Relevant law
- Section 23, Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA)
Quotes
Supreme Court
Indian Supreme Court judicial judgement
“The compulsory administration of any of these techniques is an unjustified intrusion into the mental privacy of an individual. The test results by themselves cannot be admitted as evidence because the subject does not exercise conscious control over the responses.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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