'No Instigation': Allahabad High Court Quashes Suicide Abetment Case Against School Authority Accused Of Humiliating Student For Cheating

The Allahabad High Court has quashed the criminal proceedings initiated against the Assistant Principal of St. Peter's School Raebareli after a 6 years old student, caught cheating in exam, committed suicide.

Petitioner argued though the student had mentioned in his suicide note that he was caught cheating in the exam, Petitioner was not named in the suicide note nor in the FIR.

It was pleaded that since the Principal was not present in the school, the child was produced before the Petitioner and was left with a stern warning. He also pleaded that there was no physical harm done to the child at any stage.

It was submitted that based solely on the statement of the sister of the deceased that the child was humiliated by the Petitioner, proceedings of abetment to suicide were initiated against him.

Noting the facts, Justice Pankaj Bhatia held,

“Considering the submissions advanced by learned counsel for the parties as well as material available on record, in the absence of any material suggesting instigation, conspiracy, or intentional aid on the part of the applicant which directly led to the commission of suicide, continuation of the proceedings under Section 306 IPC would amount to abuse of the process of law. In view of the settled legal position as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in a catena of decisions, the proceedings are liable to be quashed.”

Counsel for Applicant: Anamika Singh, Gaurav Tripathi

Case Title: Ravi Joel Tudu v. State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Lko. And Another 2026 LiveLaw (AB) 68 [APPLICATION U/S 482 No. - 7472 of 2024]

Case citation : 2026 LiveLaw (AB) 68

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