Answer :
Final answer:
The legal doctrine allowing merchants to detain suspected shoplifters is Shopkeeper's Privilege, which lets them investigate alleged theft reasonably within or immediately outside their premises. Therefore, the correct answer is option c.
Explanation:
The legal doctrine that allows merchants to detain individuals suspected of theft is Shopkeeper's Privilege. Therefore, the correct answer is option c.
This principle gives retailers a limited authority to detain individuals whom they reasonably suspect of shoplifting, within the store premises or for a short period, for the purpose of investigating the alleged theft. Reasonable suspicion and probable cause are primarily police standards for stopping or arresting individuals, which are higher levels of suspicion compared to what is required under the Shopkeeper's Privilege. Meanwhile, Due Diligence refers to a general process of investigation, not specific to the context of theft or the powers of merchants.
