Attempt and Abetment to Suicide are two distinct offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that deal with the act of encouraging or assisting someone to commit suicide. Both of these offenses are punishable under Section 309 and Section 306 of the IPC, respectively.
Attempt to Suicide
Meaning of Attempt to Suicide
Attempt to suicide is an act of intentionally causing harm to oneself with the intention to end one’s own life.
Punishment for Attempt to Suicide
The offence is punishable under Section 309 of the IPC, which provides for imprisonment for a term that may extend to one year, or with a fine, or both.
Abetment of Suicide
Meaning of Abetment of Suicide
Abetment of suicide, is the act of encouraging, instigating, or aiding someone to commit suicide.
Punishment for Abetment of Suicide
The offence is punishable under Section 306 of the IPC, which provides for imprisonment for a term that may extend to ten years, along with a fine.
Essential Elements of Abetment of Suicide
- Instigation or provocation to commit suicide: The accused must have instigated or provoked the victim to commit suicide.
- Intention or knowledge to abet suicide: The accused must have had the intention to abet the victim to commit suicide, or had the knowledge that his/her acts were likely to abet the victim to commit suicide.
- Act of abetment: The accused must have taken some active part in abetting the victim to commit suicide.
