What Is Constitution Of India Article 20?

Constitution Of India Article 20: Protection In Respect Of Conviction For Offences

20. Protection in respect of conviction for offences.

• (1) No person shall be convicted of any offence except for violation of a law in force at the time of the commission of the act charged as an offence, nor be subjected to a penalty greater than that which might have been inflicted under the law in force at the time of the commission of the offence.
• (2) No person shall be prosecuted and punished for the same offence more than once.
• (3) No person accused of any offence shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.

Brief Detail

Article 20 provides protection to individuals against retroactive penal laws, double jeopardy, and self-incrimination. It ensures that individuals are only convicted under laws that were in force at the time of the act and protects against coercion in criminal cases.

Question

Q1: What protections does Article 20 provide?

A1: Article 20 provides protection against retroactive penal laws, double jeopardy, and self-incrimination.

Q2: Can a person be punished for the same offence more than once?

A2: No, Article 20 prohibits a person from being prosecuted and punished for the same offence more than once.

Example

Example 1: A law enacted after an act cannot be applied retroactively to convict a person for that act.

Example 2: A person acquitted of a crime cannot be tried again for the same offence under Article 20.

Summary

Article 20 safeguards individuals by ensuring fairness in criminal proceedings, protecting against retroactive penalties, double jeopardy, and compelled self-incrimination, thereby upholding the rule of law.