Atul Subhash, an employee in Bengaluru, married Nikita Singhania in 15 June 2019 after meeting her through shadi.com. Their marriage was hurried due to Nikita’s father’s illness, but it soon faced challenges.

Atul claimed Nikita and her family misrepresented her job profile, but he chose to overlook it. After their honeymoon in Singapore, their relationship became strained due to Nikita’s temper. During her pregnancy, Nikita lost her job and reportedly ignored medical advice to stay active, despite Atul and his mother’s efforts to support her.

The nationwide lockdown made matters worse. Nikita allegedly avoided household responsibilities, leaving Atul to manage work and home. He also expressed frustration over hygiene issues, further straining their bond. Despite this, Atul helped Nikita secure a new job.

When Nikita moved to her mother’s home during the post-COVID first wave, it coincided with the second wave, deepening their troubles. After securing a job in an MNC, Nikita may have sought more independence, feeling that their marriage was not fulfilling her personal or professional aspirations.

According to Atul’s final video and letter, after distancing herself from him, Nikita began demanding a divorce. She initially asked for ₹1 crore for a mutual divorce znd settlement. When Atul and his family disagreed with her demand, Nikita threatened to file false cases against them. Shortly after, she accused Atul and his family of unnatural sexual demands, dowry harassment, and even murder. Although Nikita later withdrew some of these cases, the damage to Atul’s and his family’s mental and emotional well-being had already been done.

Atul explained that he had to travel repeatedly from Bengaluru to Karnataka for court hearings, which caused him significant mental, physical, and financial strain. In the family court, bribes were allegedly demanded to expedite the case. When Atul refused to pay, the judge reportedly sided with Nikita and added to Atul’s troubles.

To withdraw her cases, Nikita demanded to increase the settlement amount of ₹1 crore to ₹3 crore, but Atul refused to compromise and chose to fight the cases legally. However, as the pressure mounted and his strength gave way, Atul made the devastating decision to end his life.

In his final video and letter, Atul held Nikita, her mother Nisha, her brother Anurag, and her uncle Sushil responsible for the torment inflicted on him and his family. He also blamed Judge Rita Kaushiq for her alleged bias and for contributing to his unbearable situation.

On December 9, Atul Subhash tragically ended his life by hanging himself from the ceiling fan in his Bengaluru apartment. Following his suicide, Atul’s brother, Bikas Subhash, filed an FIR at the Bengaluru police station against Nikita Singhania (Atul’s wife), Nisha Singhania (Nikita’s mother), and Anurag Singhania (Nikita’s brother) under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (B.N.S.), accusing them of abetment to suicide.

Bikas alleged that Nikita, her mother Nisha, and her brother Anurag, along with their uncle, had conspired to file false cases against Atul. He claimed they were demanding a settlement amount of ₹3 crores and an additional ₹30 lakhs for allowing Atul to meet his son. According to Bikas, they pressured Atul by saying, “Either pay ₹3 crores or end your life.” This immense mental and physical stress allegedly drove Atul to take the extreme step.

In connection with the case, Nikita, Nisha, and Anurag were arrested but were later released on Transit bail on January 4, 2025.

The court emphasized that the Transit bail is granted only in exceptional and compelling circumstances, where denying bail might result in irreversible harm to the fundamental rights of the accused and make it difficult for them to defend themselves.

The court noted that the allegations of abetment primarily targeted Principal Judge Smt. Reeta Kaushik, Atul’s mother-in-law Smt. Nisha Singhania, and Atul’s wife Smt. Nikita Singhania. Regarding Applicant No. 4, Sushil Singhania (Nikita’s uncle), it was alleged that he had threatened Atul and his family both over the phone and in person, as well as intimidated them with false cases.

Considering the circumstances, the court granted transit anticipatory bail to Sushil Singhania for four weeks, enabling him to apply for regular bail in the competent court in Karnataka, where the case was registered. Sushil was required to furnish a personal bond of ₹50,000 with two sureties of the same amount and adhere to conditions such as cooperating with the investigation and not leaving India without prior permission.

As of January 10, 2025, the case remains under investigation, with significant public interest and media coverage. The FIR filed by Atul’s brother, Bikas Subhash, against Nikita Singhania and her family members has led to ongoing legal proceedings.

The case of Atul Subhash highlights the complexities surrounding domestic disputes, mental health issues, and legal battles in India. It raises critical questions about the support systems available for individuals facing harassment within marital relationships and the responsibilities of law enforcement in addressing such allegations swiftly and effectively. As investigations continue, the legal proceedings will determine accountability for Atul’s tragic death and the future custody arrangements for his child.