SC allows Jain practice of `Santhara`

New Delhi, Aug.31 : The Supreme Court on Monday stayed Rajasthan High Court’s order declaring Santhara, a Jain ritual of voluntary and systematic fasting to death, as a criminal offence and issued a notice to Centre and the Rajasthan government.

A bench led by Chief Justice H L Dattu ordered a stay on the HC order declaring the ritual of Santhara a penal offence, and issued notices to the state government and others.

The High Court in April had banned the ritual of voluntary fasting to death, and making it an offence under Section 309 (attempt to suicide) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

In its order, the high court had also said that any person supporting the practice would be prosecuted for abetment of suicide. (ANI)