Morning Paper

I always like to read the morning paper in India, as it gives you a feel for what is going on. Along with the politics, Bollywood, and cricket obsession, there are reports that not only provide a bit of insight into India, but can just make your head hurt. Today's Ahmedabad Times had the following article that could only happen in India. (The language is not my poor typing, but just the different version of English that is used in India):

Trio convicted for suicide attempt, fined 25,000 rupees (about $500)

A city sessions court has punished three persons for their attempt to commit suicide. In this case, Rajesh Patel, his wife Smita, their two children, and their neighbor Sarika Patel consumed poison in a car on the Narol-Naroda highway. A child died, while the rest recovered after treatment….


During investigation, it was found that Rajesh had an extramarital affair with Sarika. Since marriage was not possible, both planned to commit suicide together: but surprisingly Rajesh’s wife Smita too joined in with their two sons.

Expressing surprise over Smita joining her husband and his girlfriend suicide bid (now that’s an understatement) the Court observed that she was repenting for her act, where one of her children had died, but law must take its own course. The court exonerated them of murder charges and upheld that [the child’s] death was not a murder, but an offense of culpable homicide.

The trio was convicted for attempting suicide under section 309 of IPC. Patel was also found guilty of culpable homicide under section 304 Part II.
The court ordered them to sit for the entire day in courthouse as punishment, but refrained from awarding jail term. For Sarika, the court decided no punishment only because she had just got married.

However, the court finds Patel Rupees 25,000 and asked the government to channelise the money to people who run help lines for stressed board students (kids taking college entrance exams).