Under Indian criminal jurisprudence, 'mens rea' is sometimes excluded by
AStrict liability statutes where the offence does not require any particular mental element (e.g., certain regulatory offences, statutory rape under specific provisions, public welfare offences)
BAny wish of the accused
CAny change of judicial mood
DVoluntary disclosure of the act
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. Strict liability statutes where the offence does not require any particular mental element (e.g., certain regulatory offences, statutory rape under specific provisions, public welfare offences)
Most IPC offences require mens rea, but specific statutes (food adulteration, factories acts, statutory rape under s375 sixthly) exclude or modify mens rea. The Supreme Court treats this as a legislative choice to be construed strictly.
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