Key Principles from the Judgment

• Multiple sentences of imprisonment for life may be awarded for multiple murders or other offences punishable with life imprisonment, but such life sentences cannot be directed to run consecutively. (!) (!) (!) (!)

• Life imprisonment means imprisonment for the remainder of the convict's life, unless commuted or remitted by competent authority; directing a convict to undergo life imprisonment twice over is anomalous and irrational, as humans have only one life. (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!)

• Under Section 31(1) CrPC, for convictions of several offences at one trial, sentences comprising imprisonment generally run consecutively unless the court directs otherwise; however, life sentences must run concurrently (or be superimposed over each other). (!) (!) (!) (!) (!)

• If multiple life sentences are awarded, they superimpose on each other; remission or commutation granted for one does not automatically extend to others. (!) (!) (!) (!) (!) (!)

• Term sentences (fixed-term imprisonment) and life imprisonment may run consecutively if the term sentence is ordered to commence first; conversely, if life sentence starts first, the term sentence runs concurrently. (!) (!)

• Section 31(2) CrPC and its proviso apply to cases where aggregate consecutive sentences exceed the court's competence for a single offence (limiting to 14 years max, not exceeding twice single-offence punishment); it does not apply to Sessions Courts (which have full sentencing power) or prohibit consecutive life sentences. (!) (!) (!) (!) (!)

• Court's discretion under Section 31 CrPC to direct concurrent or consecutive sentences must align with the principle that life imprisonment consumes the remainder of life. (!) (!) (!) (!) (!)