The case relates to the death of a woman from the Kartala police station area who was found hanging inside her home on January 30, 2018.

While delivering the verdict, Justice N.K. Vyas observed that the victim had been subjected to continuous harassment and intimidation by the accused, leaving her with no practical alternative except to take the extreme step of ending her life. The court held that the circumstances and evidence on record established a direct link between the accused's conduct and the victim's suicide.

According to the prosecution, the woman had gone to sleep after dinner on the night of January 29, 2018. The following morning, her mother discovered her hanging from a scarf tied to a pipe inside the room.

During the investigation, police recovered a mobile phone and a suicide note. Based on the complaint lodged by the victim's mother, a case was registered against Mohammad Seraj.

Investigators later alleged that the accused was in a one-sided relationship and repeatedly pressured the woman to marry him. When she refused, he allegedly continued to pursue her, threaten her and harass both her and her family members.

Court records indicated that the alleged harassment had continued for an extended period before the woman's death.

The prosecution also presented evidence suggesting that the victim had previously attempted suicide in May 2017 by slashing her wrist. She was taken to hospital and received medical treatment. The case further revealed the emotional strain experienced by the family, with the victim's mother reportedly consuming sleeping pills due to stress arising from the situation.

According to evidence presented before the court, local village representatives and police officials had earlier attempted to intervene and counsel the accused, but the alleged harassment did not stop.

The case initially took a different turn when a sessions court in Korba acquitted the accused in January 2019.

At the time, the trial court cited insufficient evidence and noted that the handwriting in the alleged suicide note had not been verified by a handwriting expert. It also held that there was inadequate proof to establish direct instigation for suicide.

The acquittal was subsequently challenged before the High Court.

While reviewing the matter, the High Court disagreed with the reasoning adopted by the lower court. Justice Vyas observed that the trial court had failed to properly appreciate the testimony of the victim's mother and had placed undue emphasis on the absence of independent witnesses.

The High Court reiterated a long-established legal principle that the quality of evidence is more important than the quantity of witnesses.

The court further held that strong oral testimony, supported by medical evidence and the overall circumstances of the case, was sufficient to establish the accused's role. It concluded that the absence of expert handwriting verification alone could not undermine the prosecution's case when other evidence pointed towards sustained harassment.

As a result, the High Court convicted Mohammad Seraj under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with abetment of suicide.

The judgment is being viewed as an important reminder of the legal consequences of prolonged harassment, intimidation and coercive behaviour, particularly in cases involving unwanted relationships and marriage pressure.

The matter will now move to the sentencing stage.

The High Court has scheduled a hearing on July 27 to determine the quantum of punishment. The convicted individual or his legal representative has been directed to remain present before the court during the proceedings.

The final sentence will be decided after hearing arguments from both sides regarding mitigating and aggravating circumstances in the case.