Extra-marital affair of a man abetted wife's suicide: SC upholds conviction

The Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a man whose extra-marital affair with another woman allegedly abetted his wife's suicide. Kavita had been married to Siddaling for only four months. She committed suicide by jumping into a well within four months of her marriage with Siddaling, who has been convicted of abetting her suicide. The reason for committing suicide was stated to be harassment due to dowry demands and the illicit relationship of her husband outside of marriage. Within a month of being married, Siddaling was made to execute an agreement where he admitted living with another woman and that had been seen by his wife. Despite this, the man continued with his illicit relationship with another woman. The Trial Court had convicted Siddaling and his father under Section 498-A, 304-B, 306 of the Indian Penal Code and some provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The High Court had upheld the conviction of the man under Section 498-A and 306 of Indian Penal Code. The Supreme Court, while upholding the conviction of the man, was of the opinion that his extra-marital affair with another woman must have created psychological imbalance to his wife which led her to take the extreme step of committing suicide. The Court further refused to decrease the length of punishment showing any amount of leniency would be a misplaced one.