What are the reasons cited by the Supreme Court for setting aside the death penalty in a child rape-murder case

The Supreme Court's decision to set aside the death penalty in a child rape-murder case was based on several reasons. 1. Proportionality: The Court considered whether the punishment of death was proportionate to the crime committed. It observed that the crime of child rape and murder, though heinous, did not fall under the 'rarest of rare' category that justifies the death penalty. 2. Ineffectiveness as a Deterrent: The Court also took into account empirical evidence that suggested the death penalty as an ineffective deterrent. It acknowledged that there was no conclusive evidence to show that the death penalty would deter potential offenders from committing similar crimes. 3. No Alternative Punishment: The Court noted that there were alternative punishments available, such as life imprisonment without parole, which would adequately serve the purpose of retribution and deterrence. 4. Possibility of Reform and Rehabilitation: The Court emphasized the possibility of reform and rehabilitation of the accused. It recognized that individuals might have the capacity to change and argued that capital punishment denied them the opportunity for transformation. Overall, the Court's decision was based on concerns about proportionality, effectiveness, availability of alternative punishments, and the potential for reform and rehabilitation.