Case:- GEETA VERSUS THE STATE OF KARNATAKA.
Citation:- 2025 INSC 1089
Date:- 09.09.2025
Supreme Court Bench:- JUSTICE B.V. NAGARATHNA & JUSTICE K. V. VISWANATHAN
The Hon’ble Supreme Court acquitted a woman accused of abetting suicide of her neighbor, noting that neighborhood quarrels are common to community living and for the charge of abetment of suicide, instigation must rise to a level that left the victim with no choice but to end their life.
- The victim, a 25-year-old private teacher, set herself ablaze after frequent quarrels with the appellant, where she alleged harassment, taunts, and casteist slurs. The Trial Court convicted the appellant under Section 306 IPC (abetment of suicide) and SC/ST Act; the. On appeal, the Hon’ble Karnataka High Court upheld only the 306 conviction.
- The Hon’ble Supreme Court noted that while quarrels and even physical fights were alleged, they were not of such intensity to drive the victim to suicide without any other option. The Hon’ble Court stressed that “neighbourhood quarrels are common in community living”, and such disputes cannot automatically be treated as abetment of suicide.
- Referring to earlier rulings, the Hon’ble Court held that specific instigation to commit suicide must be proven, which was absent in this case.
Finally , the Hon’ble Court allowed the appeal and set aside the Hon’ble Karnataka High Court judgment. The appellant was acquitted of the charge under Section 306 and her bail bonds discharged.
