Thanu Ram v. State of M.P.
Case brief
What is this about?
Thanu Ram v. State of M.P., [2010] 12 S.C.R. 710, SLP (Crl.) No. 5885 of 2009, decided 05.10.2010, SLP dismissed, convictions under ss.498-A and 306 IPC upheld. Themes: abetment of suicide (s.306 IPC); cruelty (s.498-A IPC); instigation (s.107 IPC); presumption under s.113-A Evidence Act linking ss.498-A/107/306; dying declaration reliability without corroboration (s.32 Evidence Act); kerosene self-immolation of a six-months-pregnant wife in the fourth year of marriage; testimony of PW9 Naib Tahsildar and PW11 doctor. Precedents distinguished: Rakesh Kumar (2001) 9 SCC 618; Amalendu Pal (2010) 1 SCC 707; Sushil Kumar Sharma (2005) 6 SCC 281; Gangula Mohan Reddy (2010) 1 SCC 750; Randhir Singh (2004) 13 SCC 129; B. Shashikala (2004) 13 SCC 249.
What did the court decide?
The element of instigation within the meaning of Section 107 IPC is duly satisfied in this case in view of Section 113-A of the Evidence Act, 1872, since the deceased committed suicide in the fourth year of her marriage and the cruelty proved was of a degree warranting conviction under Section 498-A IPC.