Refusal to marry doesn't amount to abetment of suicide

A 21-year-old woman died by consuming poison after her boyfriend refused to marry her. The trial court acquitted the charges, but the Karnataka HC convicted the man for abetment to suicide (Section 306 IPC) and cheating (Section 417 IPC).

The Supreme set aside the High Court’s decision, ruling that abetment to suicide requires proof of instigation, intentional aid, or active encouragement. Mere refusal to marry would not amount to the offense of abetment of suicide under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 

The Court referred to earlier rulings such as Prabhu Vs State  (2024), Ramesh Kumar Vs State of Chhattisgarh (2001) and M Mohan Vs State (2011), which held that emotional distress or frustration caused by broken relationships does not constitute abetment unless accompanied by a clear intention to provoke suicide.