Suicide Attempt: Crime or Not under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita?
Is Attempting Suicide a Crime under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)?
However, police continue to investigate mysterious or suspicious suicide cases
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 8, 2025
Is attempting suicide still a criminal offence in India? The question has resurfaced in public debate following the implementation of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Earlier, under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), attempting suicide was considered a punishable offence. However, the new Nyaya Sanhita has completely redefined this legal interpretation.
Advocate Hemant Kumar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court explained:
Now, under normal circumstances, attempting suicide is not a crime, though it remains punishable under Section 226 of the BNS if the attempt is made to prevent or pressurize a public servant from performing official duties.
Senior IPS officer of the 2001 Haryana cadre, Y. Poonam Kumar, who was serving at the rank of Inspector General (IG), allegedly died by suicide at his Chandigarh residence using the service weapon of his personal security officer on Oct 07, 2025. Police have reportedly recovered a suicide note from the spot, though its contents have not yet been disclosed. The case is currently under investigation.
This tragic incident has once again raised the question — is attempting suicide still a punishable act under Indian law?
According to ancient Indian scriptures, a human life is obtained after 8.4 million cycles of birth, and is considered sacred and invaluable. Yet, many individuals, driven by social, familial, or financial distress, fall into deep mental anguish and attempt to end their lives.
If a person dies by suicide, the police typically complete formalities such as post-mortem and other legal procedures before closing the case. However, if the death appears suspicious — for instance, if someone is suspected of abetment or if the case appears to be a murder disguised as suicide — then further investigation is conducted.
Advocate Hemant Kumar further explained:
Legal Perspective
Before July 1, 2024, under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), an attempt to commit suicide was a criminal offence punishable by up to one year of imprisonment, or a fine, or both. It was categorized as a cognizable and bailable offence.
However, since the enforcement of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, on July 1, 2024, an attempt to commit suicide is generally no longer considered a crime.
That said, under Section 226 of the BNS, if a person attempts suicide with the intent to deter or influence a public servant in the discharge of official duties, it will be treated as a criminal offence. The punishment may include simple imprisonment up to one year, a fine, community service, or a combination thereof.
For example:
If a person tries to pressure a police officer by saying, “If you don’t register my complaint, I will kill myself,” such an act would fall under Section 226 of the BNS, 2023, and be considered an offence.
Similarly, if an accused person attempts suicide to resist arrest or influence police action, it would also constitute an offence under the same provision.
National Data
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, in 2023, a total of 1,71,418 people died by suicide across India. Of these, 72.8% were men and 27.2% were women.
State-wise figures:
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Haryana: 3,361
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Punjab: 2,298
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Chandigarh: 150
The major causes of suicide include domestic disputes, marital discord, chronic illness, substance abuse, economic hardship, and relationship stress.
Approximately 61% of victims died by hanging, 25% consumed poisonous substances, 4% drowned, 3% jumped in front of trains or vehicles, and 0.4% used firearms.