Date:05/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120553390300.htm

Kerala - Kollam

Narco-analysis a crude system: K.T. Thomas

Staff Reporter

KOLLAM: The former Supreme Court judge K.T. Thomas said here on Thursday that narco-analysis was a crude system of criminal investigation.

Inaugurating a private detective agency, ‘Shadows,’ he said the method had been dropped by developed countries.

He pointed out that when the U.S. wanted to conduct narco-analysis on those taken into custody in connection with the 9/11 terror strike, the investigating agencies had to take them to an island out of the country for the purpose. This is because narco-analysis is biased investigation in that country.

The moot point in a criminal case is whether there is evidence, said Mr. Thomas who is also chairman of the State Police Performance Accountability Committee.

He said in order to safeguard the citizens’ rights, the Supreme Court had set some guidelines. But the majority of the States were not adhering to them.

Mr. Thomas said the trial of a criminal case should not be one for convicting the accused, but one for ensuring that an innocent person was not convicted.