Supreme Court on abetment to suicide

New Delhi: As the Ruchika case gathers momentum, the Supreme Court in a judgement on Tuesday said there has to be a clear intention of the accused to prove abetment to suicide.

The apex court said: "Abetment involves a mental process of instigating a person or intentionally aiding a person in doing of a thing. Without a positive act on the part of the accused to instigate or aid in committing suicide, conviction cannot be sustained."

Sources say, this judgement, which says each case has to be decided on the basis of its own facts and circumstances, may be used positively in the Ruchika case.