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Synopsis

In the aftermath of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash’s tragic death by suicide, his estranged wife Nikita Singhania and her family members have moved the Allahabad High Court, seeking anticipatory bail in the case accusing them of abetment to suicide.

Court records reveal that the anticipatory bail application for Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha Singhania, brother Anurag Singhania, and uncle Sushil Singhania was filed on December 13 and is expected to be heard next week. Represented by Senior Advocate Tejas Singh, along with advocates Ajay Kumar Singh and Aushim Luthra, the family faces allegations under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in an FIR lodged by Atul Subhash’s brother, Bikas Kumar, in Bengaluru. The complaint accuses them of abetting Atul’s suicide.

Atul, a 34-year-old software professional, left behind a detailed suicide note and a video, both of which have now gone viral. In the recordings, he blamed Nikita and her family for harassing him through what he described as a series of false cases amid their ongoing legal battles over divorce, child custody, and alimony in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur.

Subhash's suicide has triggered a nationwide debate on marital discord, the misuse of dowry prohibition laws and also men's mental health. Before he died by suicide, Subhash recorded an 80-minute video accusing his estranged wife and her family of slapping multiple cases on him and his family to extort money from them. He has also criticized the justice system in his 24-page suicide note. 

Adding to the fallout, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court, urging the court to establish safeguards against the alleged misuse of dowry and domestic violence laws. The petition highlights the need for balanced protections in matrimonial disputes.

Case Title: Nikita Singhania and 3 Others vs. State of UP and Another