M. Vijayakumar vs The State Of Tamil Nadu

insc-2024-177 Supreme Court of India 21 February 2024 • 13 min read

Judges (2)

C.T. Ravikumar Delivered Rajesh Bindal Coram

Parties (2)

State of Tamil Nadu Respondent M. Vijayakumar Appellant

Case Significance

M. Vijayakumar vs The State Of Tamil Nadu is a Supreme Court of India decision dated February 21, 2024 (citation: insc-2024-177). The appellant was convicted under Section 306 IPC for abetting suicide, with the High Court confirming the conviction while reducing the sentence from 7 to 3 years. The Supreme Court found that the prosecution failed to establish the essential ingredients of abetment — there was no direct or circumstantial evidence of instigation, conspiracy, or intentional aiding, and the High Court had erroneously applied Section 106 of the Evidence Act to shift the burden of proof to the accused. The convi The bench comprised Justices C.T. Ravikumar and Rajesh Bindal. The judgment was delivered by Justice C.T. Ravikumar.

Summary

The appellant was convicted under Section 306 IPC for abetting suicide, with the High Court confirming the conviction while reducing the sentence from 7 to 3 years. The Supreme Court found that the prosecution failed to establish the essential ingredients of abetment — there was no direct or circumstantial evidence of instigation, conspiracy, or intentional aiding, and the High Court had erroneously applied Section 106 of the Evidence Act to shift the burden of proof to the accused. The conviction was quashed and the appellant was acquitted.

What was the outcome of M. Vijayakumar vs The State Of Tamil Nadu?

The appellant was convicted under Section 306 IPC for abetting suicide, with the High Court confirming the conviction while reducing the sentence from 7 to 3 years. The Supreme Court found that the pr...

Judgment

Read the full judgment on the official India Courts portal.

Read on Indian Kanoon

Source: Indian Kanoon (insc-2024-177)