BENGALURU: The tragic death by suicide of Subhash Atul, a 34-year-old automobile company executive, has sent shockwaves across the city. The incident, unfolding amidst a contentious family court battle, has taken a disturbing turn with allegations that Atul was driven to take his life due to financial demands from his wife and in-laws.
According to a complaint filed by Atul’s brother, Bikas Kumar, his wife Nikita Singhania and her family allegedly demanded Rs 3 crore to withdraw legal cases against him and an additional Rs 30 lakh for granting visitation rights to see his son. Based on the complaint, Marathahalli police have registered cases of abetment to suicide against Nikita, her mother Nisha, her brother Anurag, and her uncle Sushil Singhania.
“My brother was mentally and physically drained ever since the court proceedings began. Each court hearing left him humiliated, as he was mocked and told by his in-laws to die if he couldn’t meet their demands. These relentless pressures pushed him to take this extreme step,” Kumar told the police.
Atul was found dead in his apartment in Munnekolalu, Marathahalli, early Monday morning. He left behind a 24-page suicide note and a video detailing the domestic issues that led to his despair. In his note, Atul accused his in-laws of filing eight false police complaints against him. He also alleged bias by a family court judge in Uttar Pradesh, where his divorce and child custody battles were ongoing.
In addition, Atul emailed an NGO advocating for men’s rights, announcing his intent to end his life. The case has sparked widespread outrage, drawing attention to the pressures and challenges faced by individuals embroiled in prolonged domestic and legal disputes.
