Explanation – The statement “life imprisonment is the rule and death penalty the exception” means that in Indian criminal law, life imprisonment is typically considered the standard or default punishment, while the death penalty is reserved for specific and exceptional circumstances.

Hence, the statement “The death penalty cannot be imposed in India in cases where life imprisonment is adequate” reflects the legal principle that life imprisonment is the primary form of punishment, and the death penalty is reserved for exceptional cases where life imprisonment is deemed inadequate. This aligns with the legal framework and the emphasis on the rule of law in determining the appropriateness of the death penalty in India.

Further, the Indian Supreme Court has held that the death penalty should only be imposed in cases where life imprisonment is not enough to satisfy the “interests of justice.” This means that if the court determines that life imprisonment will adequately address the gravity of the crime and protect the public, then the death penalty should not be imposed.

Source: ForumIAS