64 Cri.Appeals 516, 281 n 468 of 2012.odt rt individual case where the question of imposing the death Singh case (supra) : (i) C ou sentence arises. The following positions emerge from Bachan The extreme penalty of death need not be inflicted except in gravest cases of extreme culpability. Before opting for the death penalty the ig h (ii) circumstances of the “offender” also require to be taken into consideration along with the circumstances of the “crime”. H (iii) Life imprisonment is the rule and death sentence is an exception. In other words death sentence must be imposed only when ba y life imprisonment appears to be an altogether inadequate punishment having regard to the relevant circumstances of the crime, and B om provided, and only provided, the option to impose sentence of imprisonment for life cannot be conscientiously exercised having regard to the nature and circumstances of the crime and all the relevant circumstances. (iv) A balance sheet of aggravating and mitigating circumstances has to be drawn up and in doing so the mitigating circumstances have to be accorded full weightage and a just balance has to be struck between the aggravating and the mitigating circumstances before the option is exercised. ::: Uploaded on - 08/03/2016 ::: Downloaded on - 13/03/2016 19:36:29 :::