Karnataka High Court Discharges Man in Fiancée's Suicide Case: 'No Direct Nexus' Established
The Karnataka High Court has made a significant ruling in a sensitive case involving allegations of abetment of suicide following a cancelled marriage. Justice S Vishwajith Shetty recently discharged a man who was facing charges related to his fiancée's death after their wedding plans were called off.
Court's Rationale: Lack of Direct Connection Between Actions and Suicide
In a detailed order, the High Court emphasized that for an offence under Section 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code to be established, there must be a direct nexus between the accused's actions and the death. The court observed that merely cancelling a marriage for reasons that are "not forthcoming on record or which were beyond the control of the parties" does not automatically prove the accused intended to cheat or drive the deceased to suicide from the beginning.
The court specifically noted that "the act committed by the accused should have a direct nexus with the death, and such an act should have either instigated or abetted the deceased to commit the suicide." In this case, the court found this crucial connection missing.
Background of the Case and Legal Proceedings
The case originated in 2017 when a woman took her own life after her engagement was called off. She left behind a note that became central to the investigation. Based on this note and allegations from her family, the man was charged under:
- Sections 306 (abetment of suicide), 417 (punishment for cheating), and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the IPC
- Sections 3 (penalty for giving or taking dowry) and 4 (penalty for demanding dowry) of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
The prosecution alleged that after the couple's engagement in 2016, the petitioner's mother had demanded dowry. When the woman's family refused, the petitioner allegedly threatened to cancel the marriage and even abused family members, telling them to "go and die." Following formal cancellation notices, the woman ended her life.
Court's Critical Findings and Observations
Justice Shetty made several important observations in the discharge order:
- No Direct Allegation in Deceased's Note: The deceased woman's own note contained no allegations about dowry demands after the engagement ceremony between her and the petitioner.
- Discrepancy in Allegations: While the FIR filed by her father contained dowry allegations, and the charge sheet invoked Dowry Prohibition Act provisions, the deceased's personal account did not support these claims.
- Insufficient Evidence for Cheating Charges: The prosecution failed to make out a case for offences under Sections 417 and 420 IPC, as there was no evidence the accused had any intention from the inception to cancel the marriage and cheat the deceased and her family.
- Trial Court's Error: The trial court had "failed to appreciate all aspects of the matter" and erred in rejecting the petitioner's discharge application.
Legal Significance of the Discharge Order
The petitioner had initially filed a plea under Section 227 of the CrPC seeking discharge, which the trial court dismissed. He then approached the High Court to set aside this order. The High Court's decision to discharge him means the court allowed termination of criminal proceedings before formal charges were framed.
This ruling highlights the judiciary's careful approach in cases where emotional circumstances might cloud legal requirements. The court emphasized that while tragic outcomes following broken engagements are emotionally charged, they must meet specific legal thresholds to constitute criminal offences.
The judgment serves as an important precedent in distinguishing between personal relationship breakdowns and criminal culpability, particularly in sensitive cases involving suicide allegations following failed marriages or engagements.
