VEERA IBRAHIM vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

The Supreme Court held that for a statement to be protected under Article 20(3) of the Constitution, it must be shown that the individual was formally accused and that the statement was made under compulsion. The Court clarified that a confession under Section 24 of the Evidence Act requires specific conditions to be met, including that the statement must be made to a person in authority and obtained through inducement or threat. The appeal was dismissed, affirming the conviction under Section 135(a) of the Customs Act, 1962.