Headlines
SC stays Rajasthan HC order on Jain practice Santhara
New Delhi, Aug 31
The Supreme Court on Monday
stayed a Rajasthan High Court order which held that the Jain custom of
Santhara - a religious practice of fast unto death - amounted to
suicide.
Chief Justice H.L. Dattu and Justice Amitava Roy, while
staying the high court order banning Santhara, issued notice to the
central and Rajasthan governments on a bunch of petitions challenging
the August 10 order.
As counsel Harish Salve appeared for a petitioner, the bench said: "Issue notice, leave granted."
The
high court order holding that Santhara violated article 21 of the
constitution guaranteeing protection of life and personal liberty had
come on a public interest litigation filed by Nikhil Soni.
The
high court had also made Santhara punishable under section 306 (abetment
to suicide) and 309 (attempt to commit suicide) under the Indian Penal
Code.
Petitions by religious organisations belonging to the Jain
community contended that the high court had erroneously outlawed
Santhara without appreciating the basic philosophy and tenets of Jain
religion.