The Bombay High Court, Circuit Bench at Kolhapur, has granted bail to accused for abetting the suicide of his wife following an alleged demand for ₹5 lakh from her father to purchase a tractor. Justice Ashwin D. Bhobe observed that the FIR did not prima facie indicate that the demand made shortly before the incident drove the deceased to take the drastic step.
The prosecution alleged that accused and his family members subjected his wife to cruelty over non-fulfilment of economic demands and, on November 14, 2025, insisted that she obtain ₹5 lakh from her father for the purchase of a tractor. She subsequently died by suicide. Accused was arrested on November 23, 2025, and had remained in custody since then.
The Court noted that the investigation was complete and the chargesheet had already been filed, while the case was still pending committal. It further took note of the fact that the other accused, against whom similar allegations were made, had already been granted bail or pre-arrest bail.
While considering the allegations of abetment of suicide under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Court relied on the Supreme Court’s principles that abetment requires direct or indirect instigation, proximity to the suicide and clear mens rea. It also referred to precedents holding that mere harassment, a casual remark or a reprimand, without positive action proximate to the suicide, would not by itself constitute abetment.
The Court also noted that there was no suicide note and held that the issues would ultimately have to be considered at trial. Since the trial was unlikely to conclude in the near future, it found that continued custody was not required and allowed the bail application.
The accused was directed to furnish a ₹50,000 PR bond with one or two sureties of the like amount. He was also restrained from tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses and directed to appear before the Investigating Officer every fourth Monday from September 21, 2026, until framing of charge.
