High Court Rules “Go Hang Yourself” Not Necessarily Abetment of Suicide

GG News Bureau
Bengaluru, 2nd May. The Karnataka High Court has refrained from classifying the statement “go hang yourself” as abetment of suicide, highlighting the complexities involved in determining such cases.

Justice M Nagaprasanna addressed the nuanced nature of abetment of suicide cases, particularly in instances where contentious statements are involved. The ruling stemmed from a petition alleging abetment of suicide against a man in connection with the death of a priest in Udupi, coastal Karnataka.

The petitioner was accused of driving the priest to suicide by urging him to hang himself during a conversation about the priest’s alleged relationship with the petitioner’s wife. The defence argued that the statement arose from anguish upon discovering the alleged affair, and the priest’s decision to end his life was influenced by various factors beyond just the accused’s words.

While the opposing counsel asserted that the priest’s suicide was a result of the accused’s threatening language regarding the affair, the single judge bench, guided by Supreme Court precedents, highlighted that such statements alone might not amount to abetment of suicide.

Acknowledging the intricate reasons behind the priest’s tragic act, including his alleged illicit relationship despite his religious role, the court recognized the challenge of understanding human psychology. It declined to label the accused’s statement as abetment to suicide, emphasizing the complexity of human behavior and the limitations in fully comprehending the motives behind such incidents.

Consequently, the court dismissed the case, underscoring the intricate dynamics involved in interpreting human actions and motivations in tragic circumstances.