Mitigating circumstances

--- Alteration of sentence --- Death penalty --- Mitigating circumstance --- Age of offender --- Youth of an offender, even if he does not fall within the statutory definition of a “juvenile”, is a relevant mitigating factor to be accorded due weight while determining the appropriate sentence --- Where the offender had only recently crossed the threshold of majority, such circumstance has a direct bearing on the quantum of sentence.

--- Mitigating circumstance --- Scope --- Even if a mitigating circumstance was not pressed before the courts below, the Court, while exercising jurisdiction in the criminal administration of justice, cannot remain oblivious to factors having a direct bearing on the quantum of sentence.