'Mens rea' as a doctrine of criminal liability is best described by which Latin maxim?
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B.
1. The criminal-law foundational maxim is 'Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea' — an act is not criminal unless the mind is also guilty (the doctrine of mens rea).
2. 'Mens rea' translates to 'guilty mind' and denotes the mental element of an offence — intention, knowledge, recklessness, or negligence as the statute requires.
3. 'Nullum crimen sine lege' is the principle of legality (Article 20(1) Constitution).
4. 'Ignorantia juris non excusat' covers ignorance of law; 'res ipsa loquitur' is a tort evidentiary doctrine.
5. Hence option A is the correct maxim for mens rea.
_Source: Indian Penal Code 1860 / Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 / Indian Evidence Act 1872 (Bare Acts, indiacode.nic.in) — Common law mens rea doctrine; IPC general principle (read into ss. 39-40, 76-106)_
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