R. v. Dudley & Stephen stands for the principle that:

Option A: Killing an innocent life to save his own is not a defence and necessity cannot be pleaded as a defence against murder

Option B: Necessity can be pleaded as a defence against murder, killing an innocent life to save his own may become inevitable

Option C: Killing out of mercy is a defence and necessity cannot be pleaded as a defence against murder

Option D: None of the above

Correct Answer

Option: a

Explanation

R v. Dudley & Stephens, (1884) 14 QBD 273 D-Necessity is no defence for a crime: A man who, in order to escape death from hunger, kills another for the purpose of eating his flesh, is guilty of murder; although at the time of the act he is in such circumstances that he believes and has reasonable ground for believing that it affords the only chance of preserving his life. Held: (i) Killing an innocent life to save one’s own life is not a defence; and (ii) no defence of necessity to a charge of murder.

Sample Mock Tests for Practice

THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, 1949 (PAPER – 15 Q. NO. 491 TO 525)

THE INDIAN CONTRACT ACT, 1872 (PAPER – 15 Q. NO. 491 TO 525)

CLAT 2023

MADHYA PARDESH LOWER JUDICIAL SERVICES 1998

THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, 1949 (PAPER – 01 Q. NO. 1 TO 35)

THE CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, 1908 (PAPER – 12 Q. NO. 441 TO 480)

THE INDIAN EVIDENCE ACT, 1872 (PAPER – 18 Q. NO. 681 TO 720)

AIBE-XIII-2018-II (BCI-DEC-2018-SET-A) (ALL INDIA BAR EXAM 2018-II)

HIMACHAL PARDESH LOWER JUDICIAL SERVICES 2009

AIBE-XII-2018-I (BCI-JUN-2018-SET-A) (ALL INDIA BAR EXAM 2018-I)

CLAT 2015

MADHYA PRADESH LOWER JUDICIAL SERVICES 2018(2)

THE LIMITATION ACT, 1963 (PAPER 05 Q. NO. 161 TO 200)

THE NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS ACT, 1881 (PAPER 02 Q. NO. 41 TO 80)

GUJRAT LOWER JUDICIAL SERVICES 2019(1) & (2)

THE INDIAN CONTRACT ACT, 1872 (PAPER – 17 Q. NO. 561 TO 595)

THE LAW OF ADMINISTRATION (PAPER 01 Q. NO. 1 TO 30)

THE HINDU MINORITY AND GUARDIANSHIP ACT, 1956 (PAPER -01 Q. NO. 1 TO 14)

UTTAR PARDESH LOWER JUDICIAL SERVICES G.K. EXAM 2018

THE SPECIFIC RELIEF ACT, 1963 (PAPER – 01 Q. NO. 1 TO 35)

THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, 1973 (PAPER – 22 Q. NO. 841 TO 870)

THE CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, 1908 (PAPER – 01 Q. NO. 1 TO 40)

THE INDIAN EVIDENCE ACT, 1872 (PAPER – 05 Q. NO. 161 TO 200)

THE INDIAN CONTRACT ACT, 1872 (PAPER – 14 Q. NO. 456 TO 490)

THE HIMACHAL PRADESH URBAN RENT CONTROL ACT, 1987 (PAPER 03 Q. NO. 61 TO 90)

DELHI LOWER JUDICIARY 2008

THE INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES ACT, 1947 (PAPER 01 Q. NO. 1 TO 15)

THE CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE, 1908 (PAPER – 04 Q. NO. 121 TO 160)

THE COURT FEES ACT, 1870 (PAPER 01 Q. NO. 1 TO 7)

MAHARASHTRA LOWER JUDICIAL SERVICES 2019

UTTARAKHAND LOWER JUDICIAL SERVICES 2019

THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA, 1949 (PAPER – 11 Q. NO. 351 TO 385)

THE INDIAN CONTRACT ACT, 1872 (PAPER – 07 Q. NO. 211 TO 245)

AIBE-XVI-2021-II (BCI-OCT-2021-SET-A) (ALL INDIA BAR EXAM 2021-II)

THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE, 1973 (PAPER – 15 Q. NO. 561 TO 600)

THE INDIAN CONTRACT ACT, 1872 (PAPER – 06 Q. NO. 176 TO 210)