December 12, 2024: Bengaluru: The death of 34-year-old AI professional Atul Subhash by suicide has sparked outrage, raising troubling questions about marital disputes, allegations of dowry harassment, and systemic flaws in addressing such issues. Subhash’s tragic decision to end his life has thrown a spotlight on the accusations leveled by his wife, Nikita Singhania, and his detailed rebuttal outlined in a 24-page suicide note.
The Wife’s Allegations
In a complaint filed in Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur in April 2022, Nikita accused Subhash and his family of dowry harassment and physical abuse. She alleged that her husband treated their marital relationship “like a beast,” beat her after drinking, and coerced her into transferring her salary into his account. Nikita claimed that the harassment was so severe it contributed to her father’s fatal stroke in 2019, following their demand for ₹10 lakh in dowry.
Nikita’s complaint also invoked multiple charges under the Dowry Prohibition Act and the Indian Penal Code, including cruelty, assault, and criminal intimidation.
Subhash’s Rebuttal from the Grave
Subhash, in his suicide note, systematically dismantled the allegations, referring to them as baseless and part of a pattern of harassment orchestrated by his wife and her family.
On the dowry allegations, he wrote, “Why would a man earning ₹40-80 lakh annually demand ₹10 lakh in dowry? This is laughable.”
Responding to accusations of physical abuse, Subhash challenged Nikita’s failure to produce any evidence. “A well-built man like me, if I were beating someone black and blue, there would be broken bones, bleeding, or at least some visible marks. Where are the photos or witnesses?”
As for her father’s death, Subhash dismissed the claim as a “poor Bollywood plot,” pointing to medical records indicating a decade-long history of heart disease and diabetes. He alleged their rushed marriage was due to her father’s limited prognosis.
Financial Extortion Claims
Subhash also accused Nikita and her family of attempting to extort exorbitant sums as maintenance for her and their four-year-old son. He alleged that they demanded ₹2 lakh per month, filing multiple false cases to pressure him and his family.
In his note, Subhash expressed frustration with the legal system, which he claimed empowered his harassers. “The more I work hard and excel, the more my family and I are harassed and extorted. The system encourages this.”
The Fallout
Nikita, her mother, brother, and uncle have been charged with abetment of suicide. Meanwhile, her family has denied the allegations, claiming they were uninvolved and that the matter will be resolved in court.
A Legal and Social Crisis
Subhash’s death and his chilling suicide note have reignited debates about the misuse of dowry laws, men’s rights in marital disputes, and systemic biases in the judicial process. Advocates are calling for a balanced approach that protects both genders from exploitation and ensures swift, unbiased justice.
As investigations continue, this case serves as a grim reminder of the need for legal reforms and societal introspection to prevent such tragedies in the future.
