Bengaluru: In a heartbreaking incident that has shaken the nation, software engineer Atul Subhash, originally from Uttar Pradesh, ended his life in Bengaluru, leaving behind a 24-page suicide note and a haunting 90-minute video. The case has ignited widespread discussions about the state of law and order in India and the mental toll of prolonged domestic and legal disputes.
A Cry for Justice: Subhash’s Emotional Video and Message
Before taking the drastic step, Subhash recorded a deeply emotional video that has since gone viral. In it, he expressed frustration with a system he felt was complicit in his suffering. “The money I earn is only strengthening my enemies. It is being used to destroy me while the court and police system harass me and my family using the tax I pay,” he said in the video.
Subhash’s chilling plea included instructions for his family to withhold his ashes until his alleged harassers were punished. He added that if justice was not served, his ashes should be thrown into a court drain a stark symbol of his disillusionment with the judicial system.
The Role of Alleged Harassment by Wife and In-Laws
At the heart of Subhash’s despair was a strained marital relationship. His wife had reportedly filed multiple cases against him, leading to a court-mandated payment of ₹80,000 per month for her maintenance. According to Subhash’s claims, his wife mentally harassed him, taunting him to commit suicide. When he countered by asking how she would sustain herself, she allegedly replied, “Don’t worry about the money. I’ll take it from my father.”
Subhash’s note also detailed persistent demands for large sums of money from his wife’s family. When he refused, his wife allegedly left their home in 2021, taking their young son with her. The emotional strain of being separated from his child, coupled with ongoing legal battles, appeared to push him to the brink.
A 24-Page Suicide Note: A Testament of Pain
Subhash meticulously documented his struggles in a 24-page suicide note, which he emailed to friends and shared on a WhatsApp group. In it, he detailed the harassment he faced from his wife, her family, and even a judge in Uttar Pradesh. He requested that his child’s upbringing be entrusted to his parents, fearing his wife would misuse custody as a tool for further harassment.
The note also conveyed a poignant message: “My wife will keep my child away and file more cases against me to torment my family. The money I give her is used as a weapon against us instead of for our child’s welfare.” In a final, heart-wrenching statement, he wrote, “This ATM is closed now.”
Police Investigation and Public Outcry
Subhash’s body was found hanging in his residence in Manjunath Layout, with a sign in his room reading, “Justice is yet to be received.” Following a complaint from Subhash’s family, Bengaluru police registered a case of abetment to suicide against his wife and her relatives. Authorities are also examining claims of judicial impropriety mentioned in his note.
A senior police officer stated, “We are investigating all allegations thoroughly. This is a complex case with many layers.”
Public Demand for Legal Reforms
The case has sparked outrage on social media, with many calling for reforms in India’s legal system, particularly in matters of matrimonial disputes. Activists argue that cases like Subhash’s underscore the need for more robust mental health support and fairer legal proceedings to prevent such tragedies.
A Tragic Reminder
Atul Subhash’s death serves as a grim reminder of the mental anguish that prolonged legal and domestic disputes can cause. His story has left a nation grappling with uncomfortable questions about justice, accountability, and the human cost of systemic shortcomings.
