Constant Threats Of False Implication In Rape Case Can Constitute Abetment Of Suicide: MP HC
The principle that:
“Constant threats of false implication in a rape case can constitute abetment of suicide,” as held by the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
🔹 Meaning of the Principle
Abetment of suicide occurs when a person instigates, encourages, or intentionally aids another to commit suicide.
Constant threats of false implication — that is, repeatedly threatening someone that they will be falsely accused of a serious crime like rape — can amount to such instigation.
The mental harassment, fear, and social stigma caused by these threats can push the victim toward taking their own life.
Therefore, such threats are not mere words; they may amount to a criminal act of abetment.
🔹 Legal Reasoning Behind This Principle
Psychological Impact of Threats:
The fear of being falsely accused of a serious and stigmatized offence like rape causes immense mental anguish, despair, and social ostracism.
Causation in Abetment:
For abetment, the prosecution must prove that the accused’s conduct instigated or aided the victim in committing suicide. Constant threats can be this instigation.
Protection of Right to Life and Mental Health:
The right to life includes the right to live with dignity and without harassment. Threats that cause mental trauma violate this right.
🔹 Relevant Judicial Observations (from MP High Court rulings, explained without external references):
The Court recognized that mere threat of false accusation of rape, especially when persistent, can be as damaging as physical violence.
In several cases, the Court has noted that harassment or threat of false legal action has led victims to end their lives.
Therefore, the Court held that such threats fulfill the ingredient of abetment under the penal provisions.
🔹 Illustrative Hypothetical Example
Suppose Person A, during a dispute, repeatedly threatens Person B that they will be falsely implicated in a rape case to harass and intimidate them.
If Person B commits suicide, the Court can hold Person A responsible for abetment to suicide, because the threats constituted instigation.
🔹 Key Elements for Abetment Based on Threats
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Instigation by Threat | Repeated threats to implicate falsely in a rape case |
| Mental Harassment | Victim suffers extreme emotional distress and fear |
| Causation | Threats are a direct cause or significant factor in suicide |
| Intention or Knowledge | Accused intended to harass or knew consequences of threats |
🔹 Distinction from Other Harassment
Not all threats amount to abetment.
The threats must be grave, repeated, and directly linked to the suicide.
Isolated threats may be grounds for other offences (like criminal intimidation) but not necessarily abetment.
🔹 Conclusion
The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s ruling underscores that:
Harassment through persistent threats of false implication in serious offences like rape can cause extreme mental trauma, and if it leads to suicide, it amounts to abetment of suicide.
This principle acts as a deterrent against misuse of threats as a weapon and upholds the right to mental peace and dignity.
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