VADODARA: JUNE 22: In a highly unusual and controversial procedure, seven of the prime accused in the Godhra train massacre were subjected to interrogation this week after being administered what’s called the ‘‘truth serum,’’ doses of sodium pentothal meant to ‘‘lower inhibition and resistance.’’

Those tested include Mohammad Hussain Kalota and Haji Bilal, named as the main accused in the interim chargesheet filed in a Godhra court a month ago. The charges they face include murder, rioting and arson.

What is truth serum?

• A barbiturate Sodium Pentothal. Used as an anaesthetic during surgery, it depresses the nervous system, slows heart rate. In milder doses, patients lose inhibition, become more communicative. • Evidence through this is inadmissible in court. • In 1999, UN called it torture. Says ex-CJ of Delhi HC Rajindar Sachar: ‘‘Its use is objectionable. It’s not a procedure recognised by courts.’’

Conducted over three days at the government’s Sir Sayaji General Hospital here in the presence of officials of the Railway Police and the CID (Crime), the tests ended Thursday night. There were doctors from the hospital’s Anaesthesia, Surgery and Psychiatry disciplines. Sources said members of a ‘‘human rights organization’’ (not NHRC) were also present.

The proceedings were videotaped and each of the accused was interrogated for about four hours.

When contacted, State Additional Director General of Police (Crime) A K Bhargava confirmed the tests. He told The Indian Express: ‘‘Since some inconsistencies had appeared in the lie-detection tests conducted earlier on Bilal and Kalota, we felt the need to conduct these drug tests.’’

Bhargava said the test would be conducted on some more accused adding: “We will be assimilating all what has emerged from these tests.’’ Banned under international law, in 1999, the UN called the use of the truth serum torture since it meant ‘‘physical abuse to extract information.’’

Said B J Diwan, former Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court: ‘‘Any confessional material that the accused may divulge under the effect of the drug can’t be treated as evidence; it can only be used for further investigation.’’

Few are willing to comment. Superintendent of SSG Hospital Kamal Pathak refuses to discuss the matter. A questionnaire on the tests and their legality was faxed to him. All he had to say was: ‘‘I can’t reveal anything as this is something that pertains to national interest.’’

DIG, CID (Crime), Rakesh Asthana, who is supervising the investigation, too, refused to speak on the issue, while Director of the Ahmedabad-based Forensic Science Laboratory J M Vyas said he wasn’t aware of the case. Said Minister of State for Home Gordhan Zadafia: ‘‘It is not right for me to comment on every stage of the investigation. It could be detrimental to investigation.’’