Atul Subhash, 34, who worked for a private firm in Bengaluru, died by suicide on Monday at the city’s Manjunath Layout area. He demanded justice and strict action against his harassers in a 24-page purported death note that he left behind. Before taking the extreme step, he recorded an over 80-minute video on Rumble, explaining the circumstances behind his decision.
In the note, he gave extensive details of what he alleged was years-long emotional distress of marital issues; multiple cases filed against him and harassment by his wife and relatives, and a judge based in Uttar Pradesh, police said.
In the video, now viral on social media, Subhash says, “I feel that I should kill myself because the money I earn is making my enemies stronger. That same money will be used to destroy me, and this cycle will keep going.”
At Patna airport, Subhas’s mother said “get my son justice” while crying and then she fell unconscious.
“Our judicial system is so weak... my son has told everything ... He was tortured a lot, and we were not aware that he was so sad,” Subhash’s father told reporters.
Subhash’s uncle Pawan Kumar alleged his nephew was being harassed and tortured for money and that he was also humiliated by his wife and the judge.
Initially, the family demanded Rs 40,000 per month, doubled it later and then wanted the deceased to provide Rs 1 lakh, the uncle claimed.
Subhash’s cousin, Bajrang Agarwal, alleged that the victim’s wife and family were constantly demanding money from him. Till the time he was giving money, things were fine.
Subhash was married in 2019. The couple had their son the following year.
Police have registered a case of abetment of suicide against Nikita Singhania’s wife, mother, father, and uncle.
A police team probing the matter has reached Uttar Pradesh. “We are looking into all the allegations and the matter is being investigated from all angles,” a senior police officer said.
Many MPs reacted to the case during the ongoing winter session of the Parliament.
BJP MP from Bengaluru South Tejasvi Surya said the time has come for MPs to introduce gender neutral legislations.
“...I think the time has also come for us to review many of these family-related legislations and also introduce, wherever possible, an aspect of gender neutrality so as to protect both partners in a marriage….legislations that can be misused by one partner can be a detriment to the very institution of family and will have very strong social repercussions if not addressed...”
BJP MP from Mandi Kangana Ranaut said it is not correct to use on example as in 99 per cent of the marriages, the men are at fault.
“I am shocked. His video is heart-wrenching…. The case is infested with communism, socialism, and feminism. The extortion of crores which was beyond his capacity is condemnable... Nevertheless, we cannot use the example of a wrong woman to torture other women. In 99% of the marriages, the men are at fault,” said the actor-politician.
Bar Council of India chairman and BJP’s Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra spoke about the misuse of the domestic violence act.
“... The incident is unfortunate. The behaviour of the judge is also unfortunate and there should be action... The high court will not remain quiet regarding this. As far as 498A is considered, everyone knows that it is being more misused than it is being used properly. The no. of genuine cases has decreased... The whole family gets trapped... The provisions of the law need some changes….It should be made bailable... Women file a case of 498A even at petty issue.”
Congress Rajya Sabha MP Renuka Chowdhury asked the court to take suo motu cognizance.
“It is very unfortunate. Such incidents should never happen in the country. If the common man has no hope that he will have justice from anywhere, then it is very harmful to society. Implementing agencies should take strict action. The court should take suo moto cognizance...”
Earlier, on Tuesday, the apex court bench in a ruling of the Dara Lakshmi Narayana and Others vs State of Telangana and Another, noted the misuse of Section 498A (the section which deals with domestic violence) of the Indian Penal Code.
“In recent years, there has been a notable rise in matrimonial disputes across the country. This has been accompanied by growing discord and a tendency to misuse provisions like Section 498A of the IPC as a tool for personal vendetta,” the judgment stated, as reported by the Business Standard.
Atul Subhash’s suicide has sparked a serious conversation about the laws that deal with allegations of crime against married women.
Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa termed the issue as “very serious” requiring a fitting solution.
“For many years I have seen how the provision has been grossly being misused by many people. My own personal view is that make this section bailable. Also, if there is false complaint is filed, action should be taken against the erring complainant. Also false cases of outraging the modesty being filed against in-laws. We see it every day. Courts should start taking these issues very seriously. Police should be sensitised. They should not facilitate filing such false cases,” said Pahwa.
Supreme Court advocate Ashwani Dubey said there was a need for gender neutral laws.
“The whole premise of Section 498A is to protect women from being exploited, harassed, or abused physically or mentally. However, there are several instances where this regulation has become a scourge for men in society. The time has come for gender neutral laws,” he said.
Advocate Samvedna Verma, who has handled several domestic violence and dowry-related cases, said the legislative intent behind women friendly laws was to safeguard the rights and wellbeing of women “who are considered to be the vulnerable section of the society”.
“The purpose of these laws is to protect women from the atrocities caused due to family discord, domestic violence and financial hardships. However, it cannot be refuted that some women are misusing these laws to harass men and their family members to gain leverage in divorce proceedings, extort money and settle scores with them,” Verma said.
She said the problem was not with the women protection laws, but their misuse, which can be prevented by a correct filtration mechanism in place in our legal and administrative environment.