Supreme Court: breakup ending in suicide cannot always be termed abetment

The Supreme Court examined whether the refusal to marry and family disapproval constituted instigation or abetment.

Who it concerns: Appellants: Chittibarika Chandra Shekar & Ors. (including parents, sister, and friend of the first appellant); Respondents: The State of Telangana & Anr.; Bench: Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice K. Vinod Chandran.

What the court decided

• Leave to appeal granted.
• The Court found no evidence of instigation or abetment to suicide, noting that a breakup leading to suicide cannot always be termed abetment.
• Quashed the proceedings in Sessions Case No.101 of 2024 pending before the IInd Additional Senior Civil Judge-cum-Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Medchal-Malkajgiri District.
• Ordered the release of the accused/appellants forthwith if in custody, provided they are not required in any other case.
• Cancelled the bail bonds of the appellants if they were already on bail.
• Disposed of the appeal and rejected any pending applications.

Also in the document

• The Court characterized the allegations as 'frivolous' and stated it was unable to sustain the prosecution.
• The Court noted that the deceased's sister did not take action to avert the suicide when threatened via phone call.
• The relationship between the first appellant and the deceased was admitted to be consensual and accepted by the first appellant's family.