Capital punishment could be awarded when a "murder is committed in an extremely brutal, grotesque, diabolical, revolting or dastardly manner so as to arouse intense and extreme indignation of the community', the court said.

If the motive betrays depravity and meanness, or if a backward or minority community member is killed not for personal reasons but to arouse social wrath, the accused should get death, it added.

"Bride burning' and "dowry deaths' --  including cases where murder is committed in order to remarry and extract dowry again -- as well as killing the wife to marry another woman should attract capital punishment.

The court said a convict could be sent to the gallows if the crime is enormous in proportion. For instance, when multiple murders are committed targeting all or almost all members of one family, or a large number of persons of a caste, community or locality. Also if the murder victim is a child, who could not have or has not provided even an excuse, much less any provocation for the crime.