The Delhi High Court has ruled that ending a romantic relationship cannot be treated as instigation to commit suicide. The Court clarified that a breakup alone does not fulfil the legal requirements to constitute the offense of abetment of suicide.
The Delhi High Court ruled that a breakup in a romantic relationship does not amount to the offense of abetment of suicide.
Justice Manoj Jain made this remark while considering the bail application of a Muslim man accused of encouraging the suicide of his ex-girlfriend by allegedly pressuring her to convert to his religion.
The Court stated,
“Though, broken relationship and heartbreaks have become common these days, mere breaking-up of relationship may not per se constitute instigation so as to make it to be a case of abetment under Section 108 BNS (corresponding Section 306 IPC),”
The woman, 27 years old, died by suicide in October 2025. Her father filed a police complaint accusing Noor Mohammad, the petitioner, of abetting her suicide by allegedly making religious conversion a requirement for marriage.
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Asking for bail, the accused explained that he had been in a relationship with the woman for eight years, during which they had plans to marry.
However, due to family objections arising from their differing religions, the couple eventually parted ways. Notably, she died by suicide only five days after he married another woman.
The Court emphasized that the woman had not left a suicide note indicating blame towards him or any specific reasons for her drastic action.
The Court remarked,
“Admittedly, there is no dying declaration which may come handy to assess and weigh up as to what was travelling through the mind of the deceased, when she took such a drastic step,”
For the crime of abetting suicide to be established, the Court highlighted the necessity of “instigation” being significant enough to leave the deceased with no alternative but to take her own life.
Despite the emotional history they shared, the Court noted that the woman had never filed a complaint against the man during their relationship. Personal diaries revealed her intention to marry him, while friends indicated her distress upon learning he had wed another woman. However, they did not mention any pressure for religious conversion.
The Court observed,
“Apparently, it seems to be a case of broken relationship and quite possibly, the deceased, having come to know that the applicant has got married to someone else, has chosen to finish herself,”
Additionally, there was a considerable gap between the couple’s last communication and her death, leading the Court to grant bail to the man.
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The Court stated,
“Keeping in mind the overall facts and circumstances of the case, albeit, without expressing any opinion over merits of the case, applicant is directed to be released on bail on his furnishing personal bond and surety bond in a sum of Rs. 25,000/- each, subject to satisfaction of learned Trial Court/CJM/Duty Magistrate with the condition that the Applicant shall not try to contact and influence any witness or family member of deceased, directly or indirectly.”
Senior Advocate Amit Chadha, along with advocates Shivam Gupta, Harjas Singh, Dhruv Singh, and Dhruv Tomar, represented the petitioner, while Additional Public Prosecutor Sunil Kumar Gautam appeared for the State.
Case Title: Noor Mohammad Vs State NCT of Delhi
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