Question

According to which Article of the Indian Constitution, 'No person shall be prosecuted and punished for the same offence more than once' ?
1. Article 19
2. Article 20
3. Article 21
4. Article 22

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 2 : Article 20

The correct answer is Article 20.

• Article 20 of the Indian Constitution deals with the protection of those who have been convicted of crimes.
• Only proceedings in front of a court of law or judicial tribunal are protected from double jeopardy.
• Article 20 provides three types of protection to an accused individual, whether a citizen or a foreigner, from arbitrary and harsh punishment.
  • No person shall be convicted of any offense except for a violation of a new law in effect at the time of the commission of the act, or subjected to a penalty greater than that prescribed by the law in effect at the time of the commission of the act, and no person shall be subjected to a penalty greater than that prescribed by the law in effect at the time of the commission of the act.
  • No double jeopardy: No one may be prosecuted and punished more than once for the same offense.
  • No forced self-incrimination: No one accused of a crime shall be forced to testify against himself.

• Article 19 of the Indian constitution guarantees six fundamental freedoms to all citizens.
• Article 21 of the Indian constitution provides protection of life and personal liberty.
• Article 22 provides protection against arbitrary arrest and detention.