New Delhi: The Centre has repealed section 309 of the Indian Penal Code, that provides for punishment for anybody attempting to commit suicide.

Section 309 of IPC says, whoever attempts to commit suicide and does any act towards the commission of such offence, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine, or both.

Eighteeen states and 4 union territories supported the repeal of section 309 of IPC.

The Law Commission in its 210th report on “Humanization and Decriminalisation of Attempt to Suicide” had recommended that Section 309 of IPC needs to be removed from the statute book. The commission had said Section 309 needs to be deleted because the provision is inhuman, irrespective of whether it is constitutional or unconstitutional.

The repeal of the anachronistic law would relieve the distressed of his suffering, it had said.

The commission had also argued that attempting suicide was “manifestation of a diseased condition of mind” that called for treatment and care rather than punishment.

Human rights activists had described this provision as cruel and irrational because it provides double punishment for a troubled individual whose deep unhappiness had caused him to try and end his life.