Key Highlights:
- Estranged Wife Arrested: Nikita Singhania, wife of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash, arrested in Gurugram for abetment to suicide.
- Family Detained: Nikita’s mother, Nisha, and brother, Anurag, arrested earlier in Prayagraj and sent to judicial custody.
- Viral Evidence: Atul left a 24-page suicide note and an hour-long video alleging harassment by Nikita and her family.
- Misuse of Laws Alleged: Atul’s case sparks a nationwide outcry on social media, with users flagging misuse of marital and harassment laws.
- Financial Demands Highlighted: Atul claimed he was subjected to extortion demands, including ₹3 crore as a divorce settlement.
Bengaluru: In a major breakthrough in the tragic suicide case of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash, the police have arrested his estranged wife Nikita Singhania from Gurugram, Haryana, on charges of abetment to suicide. Nikita’s mother, Nisha, and brother, Anurag, were earlier detained in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, and subsequently remanded to judicial custody by a Bengaluru court.
How the Arrests Unfolded
The arrests come days after 34-year-old Atul Subhash, originally from Bihar’s Samastipur, was found dead in his Bengaluru apartment.
- Atul left behind a 24-page handwritten suicide note and an hour-long video, detailing the mental anguish he endured.
- Both pieces of evidence accused Nikita and her family of relentless harassment and financial demands.
Following the release of the viral video, the Bengaluru Police issued an FIR under abetment to suicide charges. The accused were reportedly on the run, leading investigators to issue notices and intensify the search.
- Nikita’s Arrest: She was apprehended in Gurugram, where she had been hiding.
- Other Arrests: Her mother and brother were arrested in Prayagraj on December 14.
The Troubling Details of the Case
Atul Subhash, a software professional in Bengaluru, married Nikita in 2019 after meeting her on a matchmaking website. The couple welcomed a son in 2020, but marital issues soon surfaced:
- Alleged Extortion Demands: Atul accused Nikita and her family of repeatedly pressuring him for large sums of money to fund business ventures.
- ₹3 Crore Divorce Demand: In his note, Atul claimed that Nikita’s family demanded ₹3 crore as part of a divorce settlement.
- Escalation of Tensions: When Atul refused to comply, tensions between the couple escalated, culminating in Nikita leaving him in 2021 with their son.
By 2022, Nikita had reportedly filed multiple legal cases against Atul and his family, including accusations of dowry harassment, cruelty, and even murder.
Atul’s Final Plea for Justice
Atul’s handwritten note began each page with the haunting phrase “Justice is due”, laying bare the mental agony he experienced.
- He alleged the misuse of laws designed to protect women, claiming they were weaponized against him and his family.
- His viral video sparked a #MensToo movement on social media, with users sharing personal stories of similar experiences and demanding reform.
Social Media Storm and Nationwide Debate
Atul’s tragic case has ignited heated discussions online about the misuse of legal provisions in marital disputes.
- #MensToo Movement: Thousands of users on platforms like X have called for justice, highlighting the systemic challenges faced by men in such cases.
- Family’s Frustration: Atul’s family has criticized the current legal system, arguing that it disproportionately protects women, leaving men vulnerable to exploitation.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to draw national attention. While the arrests of Nikita and her family mark a critical step in the investigation, it also underscores the broader societal issue of legal misuse in marital conflicts.
With calls for justice growing louder, Atul’s case serves as a tragic reminder of the need for balanced reforms in India’s marital and harassment laws. The investigation remains ongoing, with all eyes on the judiciary to deliver justice.
