High Court Clears Former College Principal in 2013 Abetment Case

The Delhi High Court ruled that a former principal and a senior assistant of B R Ambedkar College cannot be held criminally responsible for abetting a staffer's 2013 suicide. The court emphasized that harsh decisions taken without criminal intent during professional duties do not equate to abetment.

The Delhi High Court has exonerated a former principal of B R Ambedkar College and a senior assistant in connection with the 2013 suicide of a college staff member. The court cited the absence of criminal intent as the primary reason for quashing the trial court's summons.

Justice Amit Sharma highlighted that while decisions made by those in authority can be harsh, they do not automatically qualify as abetment under Section 306 of the IPC without the presence of 'mens rea,' or criminal intent. The judgment stressed that each case must be judged on its specific facts and circumstances.

The case from 2013 involved a female employee who set herself on fire, attributing her distress to workplace harassment. Despite her allegations being directed at the petitioners, the investigation found no evidence of contact between the parties after her termination, nor any acts directly linked to her suicide.

(With inputs from agencies.)