Name in suicide note is not enough to prove someone guilty – Punjab-Haryana High Court

The Punjab-Haryana High Court, while giving a very important decision, made it clear that merely on the basis of the name in the suicide note, one cannot be held guilty of abetment to suicide. In one such case, the High Court has ordered the release of the petitioner, setting aside the order of 5-year sentence awarded by the Sonipat District Court. Ravi Bharti, a resident of Sonipat, while filing a petition in the High Court, challenged the 5-year sentence sentenced by the district court to abetment of suicide in the High Court. The petitioner stated that on the basis of the name in the suicide note only, the Sonipat district court convicted the petitioner on 2 May 2022. The petitioner stated that the person had died due to the consumption of poisonous substance.

After hearing all the parties, the court allowed the appeal of the petitioner and said that no one can be held guilty merely on the basis of the name in the suicide note. The court, while passing the judgment on the trial, should keep in mind what is the relation of the accused with the deceased, what is the reason for abetment to suicide and whether the reason given in the suicide note can really abet someone to commit suicide.

The court said that the investigating officer should proceed only after consulting the handwriting expert. With these observations, the High Court allowed the appeal and ordered the release of the petitioner.