The correct option is C - Both 1 and 2.
[as per provisional answerkey]Why this is correct
The passage provides specific definitions for "heinous" and "serious" offences based on the Juvenile Justice Act of 2015 and its 2021 amendment.
Statement 1 is correct: The passage explicitly states, "A heinous offence is one with a minimum punishment of seven years." It further clarifies that offences like culpable homicide are not heinous because they "do not have a prescribed minimum punishment." Therefore, if an offence lacks a minimum prescribed punishment, it fails the criteria to be classified as "heinous" under the 2015 Act.
Statement 2 is correct: The passage states that the 2021 amendment "categorises an offence that has no minimum sentence, but has a maximum sentence of seven years or more as a serious offence." This matches the statement perfectly, confirming the classification criteria for "serious offences" introduced by the amendment.
Why the other options are incorrect
- Option (a) - 1 only: This is incorrect because it ignores the validity of Statement 2, which is also directly supported by the text regarding the 2021 amendment.
- Option (b) - 2 only: This is incorrect because it ignores the validity of Statement 1, which accurately reflects the definition of "heinous offences" provided in the first half of the passage.
- Option (d) - Neither 1 nor 2: This is incorrect because both statements are factual representations of the definitions and distinctions provided within the passage.
Key Concept
This question tests the ability to perform precise textual matching and logical verification of definitions based on specific statutory criteria mentioned in a passage.