Article 20(1) of the Constitution embodies the principle that:
Ano person shall be convicted save for an act that was an offence under a law in force when committed
Ba person enjoys an absolute right to be heard before any administrative decision (audi alteram partem)
Cdouble jeopardy is permitted at the Centre though prohibited in the States, varying by jurisdiction
Dcompelled testimony from the accused is permissible when granted statutory immunity from prosecution
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. no person shall be convicted save for an act that was an offence under a law in force when committed
1. Article 20(1) provides that no person shall be convicted of any offence except for violation of a law in force at the time of the commission of the act, nor be subjected to a penalty greater than that prescribed at that time.
2. This codifies the maxim 'nullum crimen sine lege' and forbids ex post facto CRIMINAL legislation.
3. Civil or tax retrospective laws are not affected by Article 20(1).
4. Double jeopardy (Article 20(2)) and self-incrimination (Article 20(3)) are separate clauses.
_Source: Constitution of India (Bare Act, updated to 105th Amendment Act 2021), Govt. of India Legislative Dept., Article 20(1)_
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