Section 306

This section punishes abetment of suicide to hold accountable people whose words or actions push another person to take their own life, such as through persistent harassment, cruelty, or active assistance. It is often used in cases of dowry harassment, workplace bullying, or abusive relationships where the victim's suicide is directly linked to another's conduct. Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, this is now covered under Section 108.

Courts have repeatedly held that a conviction under this section requires clear proof of 'abetment'—active instigation, conspiracy, or intentional aiding—and that mere harassment or a quarrel is not enough unless it directly and proximately drove the person to suicide. The Supreme Court has cautioned against convicting people merely because a suicide followed a dispute with them, insisting on evidence of a direct or nearly direct link between the accused's acts and the suicide.

• Myth: Anyone connected to a suicide victim, like a spouse or boss who had disagreements with them, can automatically be charged under this section.
  Fact: Courts require clear evidence of active instigation or intentional encouragement directly linked to the suicide, not just a prior quarrel or relationship.