**Marital Quarrels Can’t Be Termed as Abetment to Suicide: Allahabad High Court**
*By Snehil Singh | Oct 04, 2025, 04:28 PM*
The Allahabad High Court has ruled that marital discord and domestic disputes cannot be classified as abetment to suicide under the Indian Penal Code. This significant ruling came in a case involving Rachna Devi and her parents from Auraiya district, Uttar Pradesh.
### Case Background
The case dates back to November 13, 2022, when the victim, who had been married to Rachna Devi for around seven years, tragically died by suicide. An FIR was lodged the following day under Section 306 (abetment to suicide) of the IPC, alleging continuous harassment and humiliation by Rachna Devi and her in-laws.
The complaint highlighted a specific incident on November 8, 2022, when Rachna Devi’s parents visited their daughter’s matrimonial home. During a quarrel, they allegedly told their son-in-law that “he should die.” The victim’s father filed the FIR after his son’s death.
It is also noteworthy that prior to this, Rachna Devi had filed a case against her husband under IPC sections related to dowry harassment.
### Allahabad High Court’s Ruling
A single-judge bench of Justice Sameer Jain allowed the criminal revision petition filed by Rachna Devi and her parents, setting aside the order of the Sessions Judge of Auraiya.
Justice Jain emphasized that marital quarrels and disputes, though unfortunate, are common and do not amount to abetment of suicide. Importantly, the court clarified that even statements such as “he/she should die,” uttered during a heated argument, do not automatically amount to an offense under Section 306 IPC.
The judgment underscored that the *intention* to abet suicide is a crucial element for conviction under this section.
### Evidence and Legal Interpretation
The High Court noted that the trial court dismissed the discharge application without adequately analyzing the evidence. Upon review, witness statements did not demonstrate clear instigation or intentional assistance leading to the victim’s suicide.
Citing established Supreme Court judgments, Justice Jain reiterated that mere harassment or casual words exchanged during domestic quarrels cannot be construed as criminal abetment unless they force the victim into a position where suicide is the only option.
### Conclusion
This ruling reinforces the principle that not all family disputes or harsh words within a marriage qualify as legal abetment to suicide. The judgment calls for a careful and thorough examination of evidence before holding individuals criminally liable under Section 306 IPC.
—
*For more updates on legal rulings and analysis, stay tuned.*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/marital-quarrels-don-t-amount-to-suicide-abetment-allahabad-high-court/story