Abetment of suicide of a married woman (Section 306 of the I.P.C)

What is it?

The commission of suicide by a married woman is said to have been abetted by her husband/in-laws when:

• She commits suicide
• Her husband/in-laws abetted/assisted her commission of suicide, either by instigating her to commit suicide or by helping her to do so, or by not doing anything to prevent her from doing so. Harassing the woman or subjecting her to cruelty to such an extent that she commits suicide may do this.

Punishment

Imprisonment upto 10 years + fine. Abetment of suicide of a married woman is cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.

Triable by:

Sessions Court

Who can file a complaint

Anyone can file a F.I.R in the police station

Presumption as to abetment of suicide by a married woman (Section 113A of I.E.A)

• When the question is whether the commissioner of suicide by a woman was abetted by her husband or in-laws.
• It is proved that she committed suicide within 7 years of her marriage.
• It is proved that her husband or in-laws subjected her to cruelty.
• The court can presume, having regard to all the other circumstances of the case that the suicide was abetted by her husband or in-laws.