Court case(1917) ILR 41 Mad 33

A husband threatened to commit suicide unless his wife and son released certain property in favour of his brother. The wife and son executed the release deed and later sought to avoid it on the ground of coercion.

The majority held that a threat to commit suicide is a threat to commit an act forbidden by the Penal Code: suicide is forbidden even though, for obvious reasons, it cannot be punished, and its attempt is punishable. The release deed was therefore obtained by coercion and was voidable. Oldfield J dissented on the ground that suicide is not an offence under the Code.