Refusal To Marry Not Instigation For Suicide: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court ruled that a mere refusal to marry does not constitute “instigation” to commit suicide under Section 107 IPC.

The Court held that for abetment under Section 306 IPC, there must be active encouragement or coercion, leaving no option but suicide; emotional distress alone is insufficient.

The ruling arose from a criminal appeal against a Punjab and Haryana High Court order that had refused to quash the proceedings. The FIR, lodged by the deceased’s mother in 2016, alleged the woman took poison after the accused withdrew his proposal.

The Court quashed the FIR, terming the prosecution a travesty of justice.

[Yadwinder Singh @Sunny v. State of Punjab]