Section 309: ‘Attempt to suicide’ no more a punishable offence

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday told Parliament that it has decided to decriminalise the attempt to suicide which is currently a punishable offence. In a major move, the home ministry told Rajya Sabha that the government has decided to delete Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code from the statute book to decriminalise “attempt to suicide” after it has got the support of 22 states and Union Territories.

Minister of state for home Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary said in the RS that the Law Commission in its 210th report, had recommended that Section 309 (attempt to commit suicide) of the IPC needs to be effaced from the statute book. Mr Chaudhary said since law and order is a state subject, views of all states and Union Territories were sought on the recommendations.