'OBITER DICTUM' (plural: dicta) refers to:

1. OBITER DICTUM (Latin: 'said in passing'; plural: dicta) refers to statements made by a judge that are NOT NECESSARY to the decision. 2. Examples: 3. (i) Statements on hypothetical situations; 4. (ii) Comments on law not in issue; 5. (iii) Analogies or examples; 6. (iv) Judicial reflections. 7. Distinguished from RATIO DECIDENDI — the binding part of a precedent. 8. Status: PERSUASIVE only, not binding under stare decisis. 9. However, Supreme Court obiter is often treated as highly persuasive on lower courts. 10. Hence option B is correct. _Source: Legal Research Methodology + Jurisprudence — Obiter dictum doctrine_