Rarest of Rare Doctrine
- Recently, two separate murder cases highlighted contrasting verdicts and application of the ‘rarest of rare’ doctrine.
- The ‘rarest of rare’ doctrine is a principle in Indian law that guides courts in deciding whether to impose death penalty or life imprisonment.
- The five factors used to determine when a case qualifies as ‘rarest of rare’ include:
- Manner of Murder: Extremely brutal or grotesque murders that shock society.
- Motive of Murder: Crimes committed with extreme depravity, such as for political gains or sadistic pleasure.
- Socially Abhorrent Nature: Crimes targeting vulnerable groups, causing societal outrage.
- Magnitude of the Crime: Instances of multiple murders reflecting extreme criminality.
- Personality of the ....
