Should Attempting Suicide be Punishable by Law?

A Should Attempting Suicide be Punishable by Law?

[1] According to Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code attempting to commit suicide was an offence.

[2] As per the section, it is punishable with imprisonment upto 1 year, fine or both.

[3] But in 2017, the Mental Healthcare Act decriminalised suicide.

[4] The reason for decriminalisation was any person attempting suicide was considered to be under severe mental stress.

[5] The move was met with criticism, by people who said removing the deterrent of a punishment would mean more people would attempt suicide.

[6] But, Is a person who is attempting suicide, for whatever reason, even thinking about what the legal punishment for it is.

[7] Another point to think about is that you cannot punish those who committed suicide, the IPC was punishing people who attempted suicide and failed the attempt.

[8] So inadvertently, the message that the IPC could convey is, if you are thinking of suicide, don’t take half measures, go a 100% because otherwise, you are going to jail.

[9] If a person attempts suicide, do they need to be sent to jail or do they need medical support and counselling?

[10] I personally believe de-criminalising suicide was a good move, which promotes people with suicidal thoughts, and those who have attempted suicide, to seek medical care rather than having to hide it from the law.

What do you think? Does decriminalising Suicide promote utilisation of medical services or does it remove a potent deterrent?

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