In State of Gujarat v. Rajeshbhai Pitamberbhai Parmar & Ors., the Gujarat High Court upheld the acquittal of the husband and in-laws in a case involving allegations under Sections 498A, 306, 304B, 201 and 176 IPC arising from the suicide of the wife within two years of marriage. The Court held that the prosecution failed to establish wilful, persistent cruelty under Section 498A, noting that witness testimonies were vague, inconsistent, and lacked corroboration. It observed that the act of not allowing the deceased to accompany the family on a temple visit amounted to ordinary matrimonial wear and tear and could not be treated as cruelty. The Court further held that abetment of suicide under Section 306 IPC was not proved, as there was no evidence of instigation, conspiracy, or intentional aid, and the husband’s conduct in taking the deceased to hospital negated any mens rea. It clarified that the presumption under Section 113A of the Evidence Act is discretionary and can arise only after cruelty is proved, which was not the case. Allegations of dowry demand “soon before death” were also not established, leading to rejection of the charge under Section 304B IPC. Finding the trial court’s view to be reasonable and not perverse, the High Court dismissed the State’s appeal.