Advocate Deeptansh is an experienced lawyer, providing clear and effective legal solutions.
Advocate Deeptansh is an experienced lawyer, providing clear and effective legal solutions.
Atul Subhash, originally from Uttar Pradesh, married Nikita Singhania in 2019. Their marriage, however, ended in separation after just three years, and the couple had a four-year-old son. As the divorce proceedings escalated, serious allegations of harassment, extortion, and financial demands began to surface. Subhash claimed that his in-laws demanded a settlement of ₹30 million (approximately $350,000 USD) as a condition for granting him visitation rights to see his son.
In the midst of a contentious legal battle, Subhash left behind a 24-page document and an 81-minute video recording detailing his grievances. In these personal accounts, he accused his wife’s family of exploiting the divorce process for financial gain and expressed his frustration with the legal system, which he believed was inherently biased against men, particularly when it came to Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to dowry harassment and domestic violence.
Subhash’s note also brought to light additional claims, including accusations of domestic violence and dowry harassment levied against him. He argued that these allegations were unfounded and used as leverage to push him into accepting financial demands. He expressed that the Indian legal system’s bias, especially the misuse of laws like Section 498A, was not only damaging to him but to many others in similar situations.
A particularly disturbing revelation was his accusation against Jaunpur District Court judge, Reeta Kaushik, who he alleged had demanded a bribe of ₹5 lakh to settle the case and had even mocked him, pushing him toward suicide when he refused.
The tragic end to Subhash’s life sent shockwaves across India. He left behind a final suicide note titled “This ATM has been closed permanently,” which resonated deeply with many men who had felt similarly victimized by the legal system. His words became a rallying cry for organizations advocating for men’s rights, such as the Save Indian Family Foundation, which works to support men who feel oppressed by family law.
Subhash’s death prompted significant legal and social discussions about the need for reforms in India’s family law system. While his case was a heart-wrenching tragedy, it highlighted the challenges men face in divorce and custody disputes. Following his death, a police investigation was launched, and several of Singhania’s family members were charged under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), related to abetment to suicide. However, in December 2024, the Bengaluru Court granted bail to the accused.