Appeal Allowed: School Correspondent Discharged in Suicide Abetment Case.


22 May 2025 Criminal Appeals & Suspension of Sentence >> Criminal Law  

The Supreme Court has allowed an appeal of Thangavel v/s The State, Through Inspector of Police & Another, overturning a Madras High Court order and discharging a school correspondent who was accused of abetting the suicide of a student. The case stemmed from an incident where the appellant, in his capacity as correspondent, scolded a student based on a complaint from another student. Following the reprimand, the student tragically took his own life.

The appellant's counsel argued that the scolding was a justified act of a guardian to maintain peace in the hostel and that there was no personal animosity or criminal intent to cause the student's death. It was emphasized that no other role was attributed to the appellant beyond this incident.


 

 

The State of Tamil Nadu's Senior Counsel fairly conceded that there appeared to be no valid grounds for charging the appellant under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (abetment of suicide). The Supreme Court concurred, finding that no ordinary person could have foreseen such a tragic outcome from a disciplinary action. The Court also noted that the scolding was a necessary measure for a correspondent to address a complaint and ensure remedial action.

Ultimately, the Court concluded that no mens rea (criminal intent) could be attributed to the appellant concerning the abetment of suicide. As a result, the order framing charges against the appellant under Section 306 IPC has been set aside, and the appellant has been discharged from the case.


Section 306., Indian Penal Code - 1860  

Indian Penal Code, 1860