Supreme Court Upholds Suicide Pact Conviction

The Supreme Court recently affirmed the conviction of G Siddhartha Reddy, the boyfriend of Telugu actress Pratyusha, in connection with her death. The court determined that an individual who survives a mutual suicide pact must face punishment for abetment. Reddy's plea challenging his conviction was dismissed, and he was ordered to surrender within four weeks.

The apex court clarified that a suicide pact involves mutual encouragement and a shared commitment to die together. The survivor's presence and participation are considered direct catalysts for the deceased's actions. Abetment, as defined by Section 107 of the Indian Penal Code, extends beyond physically supplying means and includes psychological assurance or instigation if intentional and directly related to the offense.

The judgment highlighted that the reciprocal commitment to commit suicide reinforces each party's resolve. The act is implicitly conditional on mutual participation; without it, the act might not occur. Reddy's culpability was established as his participation directly facilitated the suicide, with no defense claiming the deceased was the dominant influence. Previously, in 2011, the Andhra Pradesh High Court had reduced his sentence to two years from the initial five awarded by the trial court.