Karnataka High Court Rejects Plea to Quash Abetment of Suicide Case Against Married Man
The High Court of Karnataka has dismissed a petition seeking to quash criminal proceedings against a 33-year-old married man accused of stalking, harassing, and abetting the suicide of a 22-year-old nursing student. The court held that the allegations show the victim was progressively cornered, establishing the required legal elements to proceed to trial.
What Happened
Justice M. Nagaprasanna of the High Court of Karnataka heard a petition filed by Naveen G., who faces prosecution under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 78 (stalking), and 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. According to the case details, the petitioner attempted to force the 22-year-old nursing student into a romantic relationship, pursued her to her workplace, and compelled her to travel on his motorcycle.
The petitioner allegedly proposed marriage to the woman and threatened to release photographs of her with him if she declined. Following her refusal, he allegedly sabotaged her matrimonial prospects by contacting prospective grooms and claiming that he was in a relationship with her.
Due to the persistent harassment, the woman survived an initial suicide attempt on July 5, 2025. Her family initially approached the police to file a complaint, but it was withdrawn after the petitioner’s family intervened and counselled him. However, the harassment continued, and the woman died by suicide on July 29.
Key Highlights
- Justice M. Nagaprasanna rejected the petition by Naveen G. seeking to quash the criminal case against him.
- The accused faces charges under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 78 (stalking), and 108 (abetment of suicide).
- The victim had survived an earlier suicide attempt on July 5, 2025, after which a police complaint was withdrawn following family intervention.
- The court observed that the necessary elements for abetment of suicide—instigation, goading, and proximity—were prima facie present.
- The High Court ruled that a full trial is necessary in the matter.
Why This Matters
In evaluating the threshold for abetment to suicide, the High Court outlined that the essential legal ingredients are instigation, goading, and proximity, which leave a victim with no other option. The bench noted that all three elements are present in this case, pointing out that the complaint and chargesheet depict a pattern where the woman’s refusal was ignored, her privacy threatened, her workplace invaded, and her marriage prospects repeatedly sabotaged, making a trial necessary.
What to Watch Next
With the High Court declining to dismiss the proceedings, the criminal case against the accused under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita will continue before the trial court.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who passed the ruling in the Karnataka High Court?
The order was delivered by Justice M. Nagaprasanna while hearing a petition filed by the accused, Naveen G.
What legal sections are involved in this case?
The petitioner is charged under Sections 75 (sexual harassment), 78 (stalking), and 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
What were the specific grounds for the court rejecting the petition?
The court found prima facie evidence that the victim was progressively cornered through stalking, threats, and interference with her marriage proposals, fulfilling the legal conditions of instigation, goading, and proximity required for an abetment charge.
Source: The Hindu