Why in news?

The Supreme Court stressed the need to sensitize investigation agencies and courts regarding cases under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC), which deals with abetment of suicide.

A Bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and K.V. Viswanathan highlighted that misuse of the provision should be avoided and called for adherence to legal principles laid down by the court.

The Bench emphasized that while genuine cases meeting the legal threshold should be prosecuted, the provision should not be misused to appease the grieving families of the deceased.

The remarks were made while acquitting a bank manager accused of abetting the suicide of a borrower who allegedly took his life due to an inability to repay loans. The court cautioned against baseless prosecutions that could lead to abuse of the legal process.

What’s in today’s article?

• Abetment of Suicide in Criminal Law
• Standard for Abetment of Suicide

Abetment of Suicide in Criminal Law

• Definition of Abetment
  • Under Section 107 of the IPC (equivalent to Section 45 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023), abetment involves:
    • Instigating a person to perform an act.
    • Conspiring with others to commit an act.
    • Intentionally aiding an act through action or illegal omission.
  • To prove abetment of suicide, it must be demonstrated that the accused directly instigated or aided the deceased in taking their life.
• Punishment for Abetment of Suicide
  • Abetment of suicide is an offence tried in a Sessions court and is cognizable, non-bailable and non-compoundable in nature.
  • As per Section 306 of the IPC (equivalent to Section 108 of the BNS):
    • Imprisonment: Up to 10 years.
    • Fine: Additional monetary penalty.
• Conviction Rates for Abetment of Suicide
  • According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022 data:
    • Conviction rate for Section 306 IPC: 17.5%.
    • Overall conviction rate for all IPC crimes: 69.8%.
    • Conviction rate for cognizable offences (including abetment of suicide): 54.2%.
  • This highlights a relatively low conviction rate for abetment of suicide compared to other crimes.

Standard for Abetment of Suicide

• Supreme Court's October 2024 Judgment
  • The Supreme Court quashed a case of abetment of suicide where a salesperson died by suicide due to alleged workplace harassment related to a voluntary retirement scheme.
  • The court emphasized avoiding “unnecessary prosecutions” in workplace-related suicide cases.
  • The court highlighted that:
    • A higher bar of proof is required in cases where the relationship between the deceased and the accused is official (e.g., employer-employee).
    • Evidence must show the accused intended to cause the suicide.
    • The prosecution must demonstrate direct and alarming incitement or encouragement by the accused.
• Supreme Court Precedents on Abetment of Suicide
  • M Mohan v. The State (2011)
    • Proof requires an active or direct act by the accused that leaves the deceased with no option but suicide.
    • The act must be intended to push the deceased into this position.
  • Ude Singh v. State of Haryana (2019)
    • There must be proof of direct or indirect incitement to the act of suicide.
    • However, if continuous acts or conduct by the accused create a situation where the deceased sees no other option, it may fall under Section 306 IPC.