A:
Rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 7 years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life.
B:
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 10 years and shall also be liable to fine
C:
Imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to 14 years and shall also be liable to fine
D:
Rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 10 years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life.
Explanation
The correct answer is (d) Rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 10 years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life.
In the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the punishment for the offense of rape in aggravated situations is described under Section 376(2) of the IPC. According to this section, when a person commits rape and certain aggravated circumstances are present, the minimum punishment is rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 10 years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life.
The term "aggravated situations" refers to specific circumstances such as rape committed by a person being a public servant, rape committed on a woman under 16 years of age, rape committed on a woman incapable of giving consent, or rape committed during a communal or sectarian violence, among others.
Therefore, the correct answer is (d) Rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 10 years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life.
