HC quashes summons against former DU principal in abetment to suicide case

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court has quashed the trial court’s order summoning former principal BR Ambedkar College and senior assistant in the 2013 abetment to suicide case. Justice Amit Sharma said that while decisions made by those in authority may be harsh and have an impact on employees, they cannot be held liable for aiding and abetting suicide without evidence of criminal intent.

The court emphasized that each case should be considered individually and in this case there was no evidence of contact between the applicants and the deceased after the termination of the employment contract in 2012 and before the suicide attempt in 2013.

Moreover, previous investigations by multiple statutory bodies had acquitted the petitioners. The woman cited molestation and unfair termination of her pregnancy as the reason for her self-immolation, blaming many authorities in her suicide note. However, the Supreme Court noted the lack of direct, direct action by the petitioners in connection with the suicide.