Suicide is also a form of Unnatural Death: 304B

Ram Badan Sharma vs. State of Bihar (21.08.2026 - SC) : MANU/SC/8427/2006

Case Note:
Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 304B and 201-Evidence Act, 1872-Section 113B-Dowry death, etc.-Conviction and sentence-Whether justified?-Held, “yes”-Persistent demand of dowry-And harassment, humiliation, physical violence and beating by husband and in-laws of deceased-Deceased died under unnatural circumstances within seven years of marriage-Trial court properly analysed evidence and rightly convicted appellants-High Court also examined entire evidence on record-And came to same conclusion-No infirmity can be found with impugned judgment of High Court.

In cases where it is proved that it was neither a natural death nor an accidental death, then the obvious conclusion has to be that it was an unnatural death either homicidal or suicidal. But, even assuming that it is a case of suicide, even then it would be death which had occurred in unnatural circumstances. Even in such a case, Section 304B, I.P.C. is attracted.