Date:06/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/06/stories/2007010601951200.htm

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Violation of mind

The editorial "A violation of the mind" (Jan. 5) should serve as an eye-opener to the judiciary more than to the police. Some scientists have taken a fancy for discarded truth-detecting techniques and thrust them on the police much to the detriment of their investigating skill.

P. Chandra Sekharan,
Bangalore

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Since there is no universally acknowledged successful mechanism that can extract the truth from an accused without causing any physical harm to him, there should be no objection to using techniques like narco-analysis. Particularly in cases like the gruesome Noida killings, they can be used on the accused notwithstanding that we are humane and respect human rights.

Harish Betha,
Mangalore

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The Indian Evidence Act, the Indian Penal Code, and the Criminal Procedure Code are as of now silent on scientific tests. It is time to amend these laws. In a criminal trial, truth should triumph. It should be extracted if necessary by going high-tech to record evidence.

K. Pradeep,
Chennai