Mental Health Bill

Misuse of tradition or denial of salvation? High Courts mull pros and cons of Jain customs

The Jain tradition of Santhara, or starving oneself to death, is said to have the objective of attaining salvation. However, the Rajasthan High Court ruled that the tradition amounts to attempting suicide.

New mental health bill decriminalising suicide introduced in Rajya Sabha

For the first time in the history of criminal law reform in the country, Mental Health Care Bill, 2013 seeks to decriminalise acts of suicide by linking them to the state of mental health of the person attempting the act.