Interdependence of liability under Section 316 and the underlying offence of dowry death

requires that where an accused is charged under Section 316 of the Indian Penal Code for causing the death of a quick unborn child by an act amounting to culpable homicide, the culpability under Section 316 must stem from an unlawful act directly attributable to the accused. If the primary charge of causing dowry death under Section 304-B collapses due to complete lack of proof connecting the accused to the victim's suicide, there remains no independent legal basis or unlawful act upon which a conviction under Section 316 can be anchored, necessitating the discharge or acquittal of the accused for the death of the unborn fetus. (Munni Devi Vs State of Uttar Pradesh | 2026 INSC 136).