BALASAHEB @ RAMESH LAXMAN DESHMUKH vs STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

The Supreme Court addressed the applicability of Article 20(3) of the Constitution regarding the appellant's right against self-incrimination while being compelled to testify as a witness in a police case, despite being an accused in a subsequent complaint case related to the same incident. The Court held that the appellant could not claim blanket protection under Article 20(3) as he was not an accused in the police case, thus allowing his examination as a witness. The ruling clarified that the protections against self-incrimination do not extend to situations where the individual is not formally charged in the case in which they are called to testify.