In a significant ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court of India clarified that a mere refusal to marry does not amount to abetment of suicide under the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The Court acquitted Kamaruddin Dastagir Sanadi, who had been convicted by the Karnataka High Court for abetment to suicide and cheating in a 2007 case.
The case stemmed from the tragic death of a 21-year-old woman who consumed poison after her long-standing love interest, the accused, refused to marry her. The woman had been in love with Sanadi since she was 13 years old and had travelled to Kakati, Karnataka, in search of him. When they met, the accused rejected her proposal for marriage, which led to her consuming poison.
In its judgment, the Bench comprising Justices Pankaj Mithal and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized that there was no direct evidence to support the claim that the accused had instigated or provoked the woman into suicide. The Court stated, “The accused-appellant on asking of the deceased had simply refused to marry her which is not a positive act on his part with any intention to abet the crime of suicide.”
The Court also observed that the woman had arrived at Kakati with a pre-determined intention to either get a positive response from the accused regarding marriage or end her life. The judgment read, “Even assuming there was love between the parties, it is only a case of broken relationship which by itself would not amount to abetment to suicide.” The deceased’s actions, the Court noted, indicated that it was she who had made the decision to end her life independently after the refusal.
The prosecution’s argument that Sanadi had promised to marry the woman was found to be unsupported by concrete evidence. The dying declaration made by the deceased did not mention any instigation or physical relationship, and her mother confirmed that it was the deceased who had pursued the accused.
Highlighting the lack of tangible proof, the Court further noted that while the accused was allegedly involved in a panchayat proceeding regarding the marriage promise, no document was presented to substantiate this claim. The Court also cited the trial court’s original decision to acquit the accused, stating that there was no evidence of cheating or suicide instigation.
In light of these findings, the Supreme Court set aside the conviction of the accused, effectively acquitting him of all charges.
