118 were caught off-guard and severely physically assaulted, resulting in their death, in the safety and comfort of their own home. To have killed three generations of women from the family of PW-1, is without a doubt, grotesque. The manner of the offence was also vicious and pitiless – Ashlesha and Rohini, were stabbed repeatedly to their death, while Megha was shot point blank in the face. The post-mortem (Ex. P44) reflects that the stab wounds were extensive – ranging across the bodies of the victim. The extensive bleeding at the crime scene further reflects cruel and inhumane manner of attack, against the three women. The crime in itself, could no doubt be characterised as “extremely brutal, grotesque, diabolical, revolting or dastardly manner so as to arouse intense and extreme indignation of the community”119 as defined in Machhi Singh. These are the aggravating circumstances. 219. On an application of the Bachan Singh test (as clarified and explained, in numerous decisions elaborated above), however, the mitigating circumstances need to be considered (and that too, liberally and expansively). Prior to the hearing on sentencing before this court, a direction was issued the State to (on the basis of personal interviews and prison records) file for each of the accused – a Psychological Evaluation Report, a Probation Officer’s Report, and Prison Report including material on their conduct and work done. Furthermore, each of the accused has placed material on record before this court, to demonstrate circumstances of the criminal. Given that in this case there are three accused – this court cannot baldly consider their circumstances collectively, and instead find that an individualised approach is necessary. (i) Manoj 220. The material states that Manoj’s conduct appears to be disciplined, correctional in nature and overall satisfactory, barring one physical altercation during an earlier confinement period. He has a wife and two young children 119 Macchi Singh (para 32)