• Source:JND
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Bengaluru Techie Suicide: The Karnataka High Court has rejected a plea from Nikita Singhania to cancel the First Information Report (FIR) filed against her in connection with the alleged suicide of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash.

Atul Subhash, who worked for an automobile company, reportedly took his own life after enduring alleged harassment and a demand for Rs 3 crore from his wife for a divorce settlement. The single bench, led by Justice SR Krishna Kumar, delivered the ruling orally on Monday.

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During the proceedings, the court expressed its disapproval of Singhania's demands, stating that the FIR contained sufficient details to warrant charges of abetment to suicide. "What more can the bench look into?" Justice Krishna Kumar asked. He noted that the prima facie elements of the offence were evident in the complaint and questioned why Singhania opposed the investigation.

Singhania's counsel argued that the complaint did not substantiate the grounds for the FIR regarding abetment of suicide. They claimed that Atul Subhash had failed to mention any specific actions by his wife or her family that led him to take such a drastic step. The defence also asserted that Singhania had the right to seek legal remedies and should not be penalised merely for lodging a complaint against her husband.

The court has issued notices to the involved parties and directed them to submit their objections. Additionally, the prosecution has been instructed to present the materials collected during the investigation.

This ruling follows a recent decision by a Bengaluru court on January 4, which granted bail to Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha Singhania and brother-in-law Anurag Singhania. The trio had been accused in the case surrounding Atul Subhash's suicide, which he attributed to a troubled marriage and allegations of harassment from his spouse.

Atul Subhash died by suicide last month, alleging that his wife demanded a substantial sum for a divorce settlement. The police filed an FIR against the accused under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) following a complaint from Bikas Kumar, Atul’s brother, on December 9.

In his complaint, Bikas Kumar alleged that false cases were filed against his brother, demanding Rs 3 crore to settle the divorce. He claimed that during court proceedings, his brother was taunted with statements implying that he had two choices: pay the money or end his life.

The Singhania family has countered these allegations, stating that Atul Subhash had demanded a substantial dowry from them, which they argue contributed to the death of Ms Singhania’s father.

 

Pavan Kumar Modi, Atul Subhash's father, expressed concerns about the safety of his grandson. He warned that if the court granted bail to Singhania, she could pose a threat to the child's well-being. "If she could drive my son to suicide, she could do the same to the child," he stated.

Modi further claimed that his grandson was treated like an "ATM" by Singhania, who allegedly extracted money under the pretext of caring for the child. He mentioned that she had requested increasing amounts, ranging from Rs 20,000 to Rs 80,000. Consequently, Modi has sought custody of the child from the Supreme Court, asserting that the child would be safer with him.