New Delhi, December 12, 2024: In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India clarified that harassment alone cannot be grounds for convicting someone of abetting suicide. The judgment emphasized that a clear causal connection between the accused’s actions and the victim’s decision to end their life must be established. This decision came after a case involving a woman who allegedly faced harassment from her husband and in-laws, which allegedly led to her suicide.
The court acknowledged that harassment and mental torture could contribute to emotional distress, but it stressed the importance of proving that the accused’s conduct directly led to the victim’s tragic decision. The ruling indicated that simply proving harassment is not sufficient unless a direct link to the suicide can be established through clear and compelling evidence.
This landmark judgment is expected to impact future cases related to abetment of suicide. The court’s stance underscores the necessity of strong evidence when pursuing such charges and makes it clear that mere allegations of harassment, without sufficient proof of a causal connection to the suicide, cannot justify a conviction.
