X armed with an axe is at a great distance from Z and threatens to kill Z. Z shoots at X and kills him:

Correct option is A

The right to private defence under Section 38 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (formerly Section 96-106 IPC) can be exercised only when there is an imminent and reasonable threat to life or property. In this scenario, X, though armed with an axe, is at a great distance from Z and only threatens to kill Z without making an immediate attack. Since Z was not in immediate danger and could have sought other protective measures, his action of shooting and killing X cannot be justified as private defence.​