Abetment to suicide is a big deal!

The Supreme Court in the case of Gangula Mohan Reddy v. State of Andhra Pradesh [JT 2010 (1) SC 17] discussed the meaning of the word ‘suicide’ and has done the much awaited task of constraining the ever-widening definition of ‘abetment to suicide’. It has been stated that mere discord and differences which are part of day to day life cannot form the basis of conviction under S. 306 of IPC for abetting suicide. For that, there has to be a clear mens rea and it requires an active or direct act which led the deceased to commit suicide.