Activist moves Allahabad HC seeking stay on narco-analysis of victim’s family

Activist Saket Gokhale has filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court to stay the Uttar Pradesh government’s decision to conduct a narco-analysis test of the victim’s family in the Hathras gangrape case.

Gokhale has said that the decision of the Uttar Pradesh government is not only unlawful, but also to prevent the family from testifying before the court on 12 October 2020 in the spontaneous cognizance case registered by the High Court as a right of civil and dignified funeral / cremation Is an attempt to.

Gokhale says,

Subjecting the family of the victim to a narco-analysis test goes against all principles of natural justice as they’re neither accused in the case nor have been charged with any offence. Using an interrogation technique on the victim’s family is a blatant form of coercion”

On Thursday, the Lucknow bench of the High Court took suo motu cognizance of the matter after stern action taken by the state authorities.

Gokhale said that conducting a narco-analysis test of the family before testifying in the High Court is a ploy.

He said that the Uttar Pradesh state administration has interfered in the proceedings of the Hon’ble Court by deciding to conduct a narco-analysis test of the family.

On October 2, 2020, the UP government issued a press note for suspension and transfer of some police personnel posted in Hathras. In addition, the press note also stated that the narco test of the victim’s family will also be done.

By Priya Kumari