Yadwinder Singh @ Sunny v. State of Punjab - S.306 IPC - Refusal To Marry - Abetment Of Suicide

Indian Penal Code 1860 - Section 306, 107 - Mere refusal to marry even if true by itself would not amount to instigation as explained under Section 107 of the IPC- The ingredients to constitute an offence under Section 306 of the IPC would stand fulfilled if the suicide is committed by the deceased due to direct and alarming encouragement/incitement by the accused leaving no option but to commit suicide. The act of instigation as alleged must be with the intention to push the deceased into such a situation that she is left with no other option but to commit suicide. [Context: While allowing appeal filed by accused, SC observed: Even if we believe that the appellant due to opposition and pressure from his family declined to get married with the deceased, it could not be said that he led to a situation by which the deceased was left with no other option but to commit the suicide. The appellant could not be said to have intended the consequences of his act namely suicide. It is very sad to note that a young girl took the extreme step of ending her life. It is possible that she might have felt hurt. One sensitive moment took away the life of a young girl. However, as judges we should not allow our minds get boggled with such thoughts. We are obliged to decide the matter on the basis of the evidence on record. ] (Para 17-19)