Mere Handing Over Divorce Draft Does Not Amount to Abetment of Suicide: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court set aside a trial court’s decision that added the charge of abetment to suicide against a man whose wife died by suicide three days after receiving a draft divorce agreement. 

The court said merely handing over a divorce draft doesn’t amount to instigation or aiding suicide.

There was no evidence that the husband intended or encouraged the act. The wife’s family only stated she was mentally upset after reading the draft.

The High Court held that without proof of direct or indirect provocation, Section 306 IPC couldn’t apply and quashed the trial court’s addition of the charge.