Rishi Trivedi Suicide Case:
After the tragic death of 34-year-old techie Atul Subhash in Bengaluru, debates around male harassment have intensified. Yet, Atul's case was not isolated; a similar incident occurred in Delhi last year, which is now garnering attention. The hashtag #JusticeforRishi even trended on social media. The victim in this case was Rishi Trivedi. We spoke exclusively to Omji Trivedi, Rishi's younger brother, who said Rishi took his life due to marital distress.
Omji Trivedi, Rishi's brother, appearing in the 'Aaj Tak' studio informed us that Rishi underwent a situation similar to Atul's. Allegedly tormented by his wife Shikha Awasthi, Rishi ended his life on December 27, 2023. Rishi was from Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh and drove a taxi in Delhi for a living.
Omji highlighted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) how his brother Rishi's suicide echoed Atul Subhash's case. Rishi also recorded a video before his death, expressing his anguish and blamed Shikha for his demise.
Omji recounted that after Rishi's death, Shikha returned from her parents' house allegedly demanding ₹5 lakh, threatening not to allow Rishi's funeral if they refused. She allegedly insulted the family publicly, berated and abused them in the street.
Despite filing a police complaint, Omji says they were ignored. Rishi labored 12-14 hours daily driving a taxi to meet his wife's demands, yet faced her cruelty. She refused to cook for him, leaving him to sleep hungry.
Whenever their mother tried to intervene by offering Rishi food, Shikha allegedly threatened false lawsuits against the entire family, forcing them to keep their distance. Shikha's harassment drove Rishi to a point where he lost his peace and sleep, constantly tormented even at odd hours, pushing him to death.
Omji shared that disputes often ended with Shikha urging Rishi to die, leaving him feeling terribly isolated. Shockingly, just four days post-marriage, Shikha was caught stealing jewelry. Twice in two weeks, her true nature was exposed, leading to persistent intimidation.
On December 24 last year, Shikha allegedly caused a public scene in Rishi's neighborhood with her sister, humiliating him before discarding her saree at him, taunting 'Hang yourself with this.' Rishi left Delhi on December 25 in his taxi, opting to end his life using that very saree the next day.
Omji regrets the ongoing plight where Shikha seems engrossed only in financial gain, while the law fails to hold her accountable. His grieving family is dragged through false cases and endless harassment.
He asserts that Rishi's death symbolizes not just a personal tragedy but a glaring example of male injustice and legal exploitation in this country. Shikha allegedly bragged, 'Women always prevail; with a single step, I can imprison you and your family.'
According to Omji, Shikha, alongside her sister Ruchi Dixit, routinely threatened Rishi with false charges to extort money, supported by her entire family. Yet, a year later, no FIR or arrest has been made against Shikha.
The day after Rishi's death, Shikha returned to create chaos at his home, demanding ₹5 lakh from his father, under threat of obstructing the funeral, verbally abusing the family in public. Police inaction prevailed despite a filed complaint.
Omji disclosed on X that in February 2024, Shikha filed false domestic violence, dowry harassment, and maintenance cases in Auraiya against their family, particularly targeting their 65-year-old father, adding to their distress.
When the
'Aaj Tak'
team investigated the address Shikha Awasthi provided to the police in Auraiya, it was found to be fraudulent.
