A multifarious law: heterogeneous meanings of suicide in Indian law

Rao, Meghana (2021) A multifarious law: heterogeneous meanings of suicide in Indian law. Indian Law Review, 5 (2). pp. 166-188. ISSN 2473-0580

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Abstract

Public and legal discussion to decriminalize suicide attempts has existed in India for almost four decades. The passing of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 has resulted in alterations to Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, which had until then criminalized all suicide attempts. In this context, this article explores two questions: How is suicide conceptualized within criminal law? And what are the knowledges that inform the complex and shifting views, claims, and legal decisions that constitute the legal regulation of suicide in India today? This article studies law reform efforts, key High Court and Supreme Court of India judgements on cases relating to suicide attempts to demonstrate the eclectic nature of definitions of suicide within Indian law. Concurrently, it highlights a characteristic of law – its ability to juggle multiple knowledges, thereby constantly (re)defining the concepts or actions it adjudicates.

Item Type:	Article
Authors:	Rao, Meghana
Document Language:	Language English
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Suicide, Section 309, religion, knowledge, natural death, unnatural death, criminal law, Indian Penal Code
Subjects:	Social sciences > Law > Criminal law Social sciences > Law > Civil procedure & courts
Divisions:	Azim Premji University - Bengaluru > School of Arts and Sciences
Full Text Status:	None
URI:	http://publications.azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/id/eprint/7453
Publisher URL:	https://doi.org/10.1080/24730580.2021.1946267

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