Chennai : In a verdict that has raised the hackles of those dealing in counselling for persons with suicidal tendencies, the Madras High Court”s Madurai Bench has described a woman”s suicide as a “foolish act” and acquitted her husband who was sentenced to three years jail for abetting her suicide.
Justice P Devadass, who had previously hit national headlines for directing a rape victim to mediate with her rapist, in his verdict said, “Sometimes the decision to commit suicide might be taken by the victim without any instigation. A person may die like a coward. They are weak minded. They are persons of frail mentality. For their foolish mentality or decision, another person cannot be blamed.”
In the instant case, the woman hailing from a remote village in Virudhunagar had committed suicide by immolation in 2004
Allowing the petition, Justice Devadass said, the woman had taken a foolish decision to end her life. “For her foolish act, the husband cannot be punished,” he said. According to the judge, to hold a person guilty there must be intention or desire on the part of the accused that the victim should commit suicide and die.
“It is nobody”s case that the accused has abetted commission of suicide by his wife. It is the invention of the learned Sessions Judge (trial judge). It is his own creation,” Justice Devadass said and acquitted the husband.
