Summary: Mahendra Shahare was found not guilty by the Bombay High Court in a case where he was accused of helping Maya, a woman he was in a relationship with, take her own life. The court found there wasn't enough evidence to prove he encouraged her suicide.
Mahendra Shahare, a 35-year-old businessman from Gondia, Maharashtra, was initially found guilty by the trial judge for helping Maya, a woman he was romantically involved with, take her own life. Maya's father, Ganesh Hukre, filed the complaint after she died by suicide.
Maya and Mahendra had been together for five years. Maya found out that Mahendra planned to marry someone else, which led to arguments. She reported Mahendra's refusal to marry her to the police and a local group that helps settle disputes. Even after agreeing to stay apart, problems continued.
"She was under mental pressure and committed suicide by hanging herself," the complaint stated.
The police charged Mahendra and gathered evidence, including a note Maya left behind. However, the case against Mahendra mainly relied on statements from Maya's parents and neighbors, which were not consistent.
The trial court found Mahendra guilty of helping Maya take her own life and sentenced him to three years in prison. Mahendra challenged the decision, arguing that the evidence didn't prove he helped her.
Judge Urmila Joshi-Phalke looked at the case again, focusing on whether Mahendra's actions directly pushed Maya to take her own life. The court noted:
"The evidence on record is not sufficient to establish that it was the accused who abetted her to commit suicide," the judgment stated.
The court stressed that to be found guilty of helping someone take their own life, there must be clear evidence of encouragement or intentional help. Simply refusing to marry, without directly encouraging the act, doesn't meet this standard.
The High Court found Mahendra Shahare not guilty, overturning the earlier guilty verdict. The case shows how important it is to have solid evidence when accusing someone of helping another person take their own life, focusing on intent and direct actions leading to the act.
