Atul Subhash News:
The suicide case of IT professional Atul Subhash in Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, has raised questions on dowry harassment and the functioning of the judiciary in the country. Atul Subhash and his family faced nine cases filed by his wife, Nikita Singhania, a resident of Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. Many cases were withdrawn by Nikita, stating she was uninformed or cases were filed without her consent. What was the case that still lingers, and what accusations were cast upon Atul Subhash?
Learn what Atul Subhash argued in response before his death...
Nikita Singhania filed an FIR on 24th April 2022 at Jaunpur Kotwali under crime number 115/2022 involving IPC sections 498, 323, 504, 506, and sections 3/4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The FIR named Atul Subhash Modi, his mother Anju Devi, father Pawan Modi, and younger brother Vikas Modi.
Accusations in the FIR
The FIR alleged that Atul and Nikita Singhania were married on 26th April 2019 at Hindustan International Hotel in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
Allegations included demands for a dowry of 10 lakh rupees by Atul's family from the onset of marriage. Atul allegedly indulged in domestic violence under the influence of alcohol. He reportedly forced his working wife Nikita to transfer her salary to his bank account.
Further accusations stated that on 16th August 2019, the in-laws visited Nikita's maternal home in Jaunpur demanding 10 lakh rupees, shortly after which Nikita's father passed away. Responding to persuasion by others, Atul took Nikita to Bengaluru with his mother accompanying them.
On 17th May 2021, Atul allegedly beat Nikita and her mother, expelling them from the flat. The police intervened to retrieve Nikita's clothes and documents, following which she moved back to her maternal home with her mother and son.
Post FIR, a maintenance case seeking ₹2 lakh monthly for Nikita and her son was also filed.
Subhash countered the allegations with evidence
Atul Subhash's 24-page suicide note meticulously answered every accusation made by wife Nikita Singhania in the FIR, supplemented with proof. He recalled how they met through shaadi.com. Nikita only stayed with her in-laws in Samastipur (Bihar) for two days before moving to Bengaluru with Atul. During these two days, she met her father-in-law once or twice.
In the suicide note, Subhash refuted claims of domestic violence, stating that with someone as strongly built as him, any physical assault would have led to visible injuries or proof, which were absent. No such incident was ever reported to the police.
The FIR claimed the in-laws demanded 10 lakh rupees, causing Nikita's father's demise. However, in court, Nikita clarified that her father had been chronically ill and was under treatment for a heart condition at AIIMS, Delhi. His condition deteriorated and he passed away while admitted to a hospital in Varanasi. Post his demise, an additional murder charge was pressed against Atul and his family by court order based on a complaint filed by Nikita, which she later stated was filed without her knowledge.
'Why would someone with a 4 million salary demand 1 million in dowry?'
Addressing the dowry claim, Atul Subhash highlighted his financial independence, pointing out he had infused 1.5 million of his funds into the in-laws’ business, only to see them purchase a million-dollar house instead. When he sought repayment in April 2021, only a small fraction of his loan, 150,000, was returned. Subhash questioned why a person with a high-paying job would seek a dowry of 1 million.
The FIR alleged brutal marital relations, which Subhash dismissed in his suicide note, emphasizing that mere words cannot substantiate such claims; concrete evidence is essential.
'120 appearances in Jaunpur Court'
Within his suicide note, Atul Subhash vividly recounted the ordeal his family faced, poignantly noting that post the dowry FIR, he traveled from Bengaluru, his younger brother from Delhi, and his elderly parents from Bihar nearly 120 times for court appearances in Jaunpur. Although entitled to only 23 leaves annually, personally, Atul managed to attend court 40 times within a year.
Atul’s suicide note not only defended his family with substantial evidence against the allegations but also highlighted the tribulations faced during judicial proceedings.
Nikita's mother remains silent
Efforts to elicit a response from Nikita Singhania’s mother regarding Atul Subhash’s allegations remain unfulfilled as she declined to comment.
