THE LIMITS OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION: AN ANALYSIS OF SELVI V. STATE OF KARNATAKA

Selvi v. State of Karnataka is one of the most important Supreme Court cases on criminal investigation in India. It deals with the question of how far the police can go while collecting evidence from a suspect or accused person. The Court made it clear that investigation is important, but it cannot cross constitutional limits. In simple words, the police cannot force a person to undergo tests that try to read the mind or extract information from inside the brain. This case is famous because it protects a person’s freedom, privacy, and right against self-incrimination. It shows that even in criminal cases, the State must respect human dignity.