Literal Meaning
Malice supplies age.
Explanation
This maxim means malice supplies want of age. The presumption of innocence of a child is based on the principle that ‘the younger the child in age, the lesser the probability of being corrupt’. This is to say, malice makes up for age, i.e., Malitia supplet aetatem.
Origin
Latin
Illustration
If a child aged nine years picks up a necklace valued at rs. 100 lying on a table on a table in his friend’s house and immediately sells it for rs. 20 and misappropriates the money, these acts show that he was sufficiently mature to understand the nature and consequence of his deed of theft. Hence, he would not be protected.
Case References
Hiralal Mallick v. State of Bihar, AIR 1977 SC 2236
In this case, the supreme court held that a child below 7 years is completely free of any criminal responsibility but a child between 7 to 12 years of age is qualified to avail the defence of doli incapax, if it is proved that he is not attained sufficient maturity of understanding to judge the nature and consequences of his act. This presumption may be rebutted by evidence of “mischievous discretion, i.e., knowledge that what was done was morally wrong”.
Ullu v. King, AIR 1950 Ori. 261
In this case, the accused, a girl about 10 years old was scolded by her father-in-law and her husband who attempted to beat her. A few days after the incident, she struck her husband on his neck with sharp instrument while he was asleep, which resulted in his death. After the assault she ran away and concealed herself. Judging from her conduct before and after the incident the court concluded that she was doli capax i.e., capable of understanding the nature of the act and so was held guilty of murder. However, the court remanded her for a reprieve of sentence instead of seven years considering her age.
Marimuthu case, (1990) 9 Cr Lj 392 (Mad.)
In this case, there was a girl aged 10 years who picked up a silver button and gave it to her mother was not held liable for theft. It was held that these factors were not sufficient to show maturity on her part to understand the nature of her act. Hence, this is not the case of Malitia supplet aetatem.
Edited by Sree Ramya
Approved & Published – Sakshi Raje
