SC: TIP Unreliable If Witness Already Saw Accused Before Identification Test

The Supreme Court reiterated that Test Identification Parades (TIP) lose their evidentiary value when witnesses see the accused before the procedure. The judgment stressed that the primary purpose of TIP is to test the memory and credibility of witnesses by ensuring that identification occurs in an uncontaminated environment. If the accused is shown to the witness—intentionally or inadvertently—before the parade, the identification becomes suggestive and unreliable. The Court highlighted investigative lapses and emphasized strict adherence to guidelines to avoid miscarriage of justice. It also clarified that TIP is not substantive evidence but assists in corroborating in-court identification. The ruling safeguards fair investigation standards and strengthens evidentiary scrutiny in criminal trials.