IPC 306 in BNS: Abetment of Suicide is Now Section 108
IPC Section 306 punished abetment of suicide — a charge frequently added alongside Section 498A in matrimonial cruelty cases, or alongside workplace and financial harassment allegations. It is now BNS Section 108.
IPC → BNS ConverterOpen →Punishment under BNS 108
The punishment is unchanged: imprisonment for a term which may extend to ten years, along with a fine. As before, the prosecution must show active abetment — mere allegations of harassment, without evidence of instigation or a proximate act, are not sufficient on their own; courts have consistently required this under the IPC and the same standard applies under BNS 108.
Commonly paired sections
In dowry-death-adjacent and matrimonial-cruelty matters, BNS 108 is often cited together with BNS 85 (cruelty) and, where death occurs within seven years of marriage under suspicious circumstances, the dowry death provision (previously IPC 304B, now BNS 80). Map every associated section individually when converting an old FIR.
Frequently asked
- Is BNS 108 bailable?
- No. Abetment of suicide remains a non-bailable, cognizable offence under BNS 108, triable by the Court of Session, carrying over the classification from IPC 306. Verify against the bare act and consult an advocate for the specific facts.
Reference only — not legal advice. Verify with the official bare act and consult an advocate.