**Marital Quarrels Can’t Be Termed as Abetment to Suicide: Allahabad High Court**
*By Snehil Singh | October 4, 2025, 04:28 PM*
The Allahabad High Court has delivered a significant ruling stating that marital discord and domestic disputes cannot be categorized as abetment to suicide under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
### Case Background
This ruling arose from a case involving Rachna Devi and her parents from Auraiya district, Uttar Pradesh. The incident dates back to November 13, 2022, when the victim, married to Rachna Devi for about seven years, died by suicide. Subsequently, on November 14, 2022, an FIR was registered under Section 306 (abetment to suicide) of the IPC, alleging continuous harassment and humiliation of the victim by his wife and in-laws.
### Incident Details and Allegations
The complaint highlighted a specific quarrel that took place on November 8, 2022, when Rachna Devi’s parents visited their daughter’s matrimonial home. During this altercation, they allegedly told the victim, “he should die.” After the victim’s death, his father lodged the FIR. It is also worth noting that Rachna Devi had earlier filed a case against her husband under IPC provisions related to dowry harassment.
### Allahabad High Court’s Ruling
The single-judge bench, led by Justice Sameer Jain, allowed the criminal revision petition filed by Rachna Devi and her parents. The court emphasized that marital quarrels are common occurrences and do not inherently amount to abetment of suicide.
Justice Jain clarified that even statements like “he/she should die” made during heated disputes do not fulfill the criteria for an offense under Section 306 IPC. The intention to abet suicide is a vital element to establish a conviction under this section.
### Review of Evidence and Legal Precedents
The High Court noted that the lower trial court had rejected the discharge application without thoroughly analyzing the evidence. The statements of witnesses did not indicate any explicit instigation or intentional aid leading to the victim’s suicide.
Citing various Supreme Court judgments, Justice Jain reiterated that mere harassment or casual abusive words during a quarrel cannot be extended to criminal abetment unless it is shown that such actions forced the victim to contemplate or commit suicide as the only option.
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This ruling reaffirms the legal standpoint that not all domestic disputes or harsh words in a marital relationship qualify as criminal abetment to suicide, underscoring the necessity of clear evidence of intention and instigation.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/marital-quarrels-don-t-amount-to-suicide-abetment-allahabad-high-court/story