The correct answer is (a) Intention.
Section 14 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 states that “The state of mind of a person who does or omits to do an act is a fact which may be relevant in considering whether he had any intention in doing or omitting to do that act.”
Intention is the mental state of wanting to do something. It is a necessary element of many crimes, such as murder, theft, and assault. In order to prove that a person committed a crime, the prosecution must prove that the person had the intention to commit the crime.
Preparation is the act of getting ready to do something. It is not the same as intention, as it does not require the person to have a specific goal in mind. For example, a person who buys a gun is not necessarily planning to commit a crime, but they are preparing to do so if the need arises.
Attempt is the act of trying to do something. It is also not the same as intention, as it does not require the person to have succeeded in doing what they were trying to do. For example, a person who tries to rob a bank but is unsuccessful has still attempted to commit a crime.
Motive is the reason why a person does something. It is not an element of a crime, and it is not usually relevant in a criminal trial. However, motive can be used to explain why a person committed a crime, and it can be used to determine whether a person is likely to reoffend.
In conclusion, the word ‘State of mind’under Section 14 of Indian Evidence Act, 1872 includes intention.