A statement of an accused may be used in evidence against him if it appears that the same was freely and voluntarily made without what?

The correct choice emphasizes that a statement made by an accused must be free from any kind of compulsion or persuasion to be admissible as evidence. This means that the individual must have made the statement willingly and without being forced or unduly influenced by external factors.

In legal contexts, the integrity of a confession or any statement made by an accused relies on the idea that it reflects their true thoughts and intentions. If an individual was persuaded in a way that overrides their free will, the validity of that statement as evidence is compromised.

While coercion or pressure, threat or intimidation, and deception or misunderstanding are also significant concerns in the context of witness statements, the focus here is on the principle that any form of compulsion—whether physical pressure or psychological persuasion—nullifies the voluntariness of the statement. Maintaining voluntary statements is critical to ensure fair legal processes and protect the rights of the accused.