Jammu Court Rejects NIA Plea for Polygraph/Narco-Test in Pahalgam Attack Case

A special NIA court in Jammu has refused the agency’s request for polygraph and narco-analysis tests of Bashir Ahmad Jothatd and Parvaiz Ahmed, arrested for allegedly harbouring terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

The court held that such “scientific techniques,” especially when unwillingly administered, violate the constitutional protection against self-incrimination under Article 20(3).

Though the NIA claimed the accused had consented, the accused told the court in open proceedings that they did not consent.

The court also cited Supreme Court precedent (Selvi & Ors v. State of Karnataka, 2010) and NHRC guidelines while rejecting the plea.