Harassment for loan compensation amounts to abetment of suicide: Bombay HC

Dismissing discharge pleas of two money lenders, the Bombay High Court has said that continuous verbal and physical abuse and repeated demand for return of money amount to abetment of suicide. Justice A M Badar was recently hearing a petition filed by both licensed moneylenders, seeking release from a case of abetment of suicide. The duo were accused of assaulting and intimidating the victim and abetting his suicide in September 2014. The victim's wife had filed a complaint against the two moneylenders. According to the prosecution, the victim had taken a loan of Rs 19 lakh from the accused. When he neglected to reimburse, the duo allegedly harassed him and on different occasions verbally abused and even assaulted him. The court observed that the conduct of the accused persons in assaulting the deceased for getting back the loan amount appears to be wilful and its gravity seems to force or compel a person of ordinary prudence to commit suicide. The court also noted that constantly attacking a family man, both verbally and physically, in presence of his family members at his home and at his work place amounts to & quot instigation and provocation& quot to commit suicide.

Torturing and abusing a person for repayment of loan leads to mental pain and agony. Instead of resorting to such ways, a person should allow the borrower of the money some more time to repay. It is really important to understand that pushing a person so hard that he finds himself in a state of mental distress, might have serious consequences.