Police Struggle to Locate Bengaluru Techie's In-Laws, Issue Notice at Their Residence | Atul and Nikita

VARANASI/BENGALURU: A police team from Bengaluru visited Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday to track down members of the Singhania family, who are accused of abetting the suicide of Atul Subhash, a senior AI executive at a prominent automobile company. The team faced obstacles, as the family’s homes were locked, and their mobile phones were switched off.

Jaunpur Kotwali Inspector Mithilesh Kumar Mishra reported that Atul’s mother-in-law, Nisha, and her son, Anurag, were last seen leaving their residence on a motorbike Wednesday night. When questioned by reporters stationed nearby, Anurag stated that his mother was unwell and needed attention.

Local residents shared that the Singhania family had moved to the area just two months ago. In their efforts to locate the suspects, the police have issued a notice at the family’s residence, instructing them to appear before the investigating officer. Bengaluru Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Shivakumar Gunare confirmed that local authorities are working closely with Bengaluru police to trace the accused.

A Tragic End to a Turbulent Legal Struggle

Atul Subhash, aged 34, died by suicide in his Bengaluru apartment early Monday following a prolonged legal battle involving divorce, child custody, and substantial financial demands from his estranged wife, Nikita Singhania. His death has triggered a deeper investigation into allegations of harassment and extortion by his in-laws.

According to the FIR filed by Atul’s brother, Bikas Subhash, the Singhania family had allegedly demanded ₹3 crore to withdraw legal cases against Atul and an additional ₹30 lakh to grant visitation rights to his four-year-old son. Bengaluru police have registered a case against Nikita, her mother Nisha, her brother Anurag, and her uncle Sushil Singhania.

Financial and Emotional Burden

Atul’s lawyer, Dinesh Mishra, revealed that Atul was earning ₹84,000 per month, but a family court in Jaunpur had ordered him to pay ₹40,000 per month as child maintenance. While the court did not mandate spousal compensation due to Nikita’s stable income in Delhi, the financial obligation might have been overwhelming for Atul.

Mishra highlighted that Atul had the legal option to appeal the maintenance order in higher courts but might have been deeply distressed by the situation. "Atul never exhibited erratic behavior or mood swings in court. However, it is possible that additional monetary demands from his wife’s family, perceived as extortion, pushed him to a breaking point," Mishra stated.

Allegations of Judicial Bias

In his 24-page suicide note and accompanying 81-minute video, Atul detailed the alleged harassment by Nikita and her family and accused the presiding family court judge of bias. Despite these accusations, Mishra asserted that the court’s rulings adhered to legal standards, with no evidence of bias in the judgments.

We need more judges like her. She is a true role model. Salute to you, madam. If the judge in the Atul Subash case had been like her, he would not have committed suicide. #NikitaSinghania pic.twitter.com/aXvcYNgCHF

— Raghavan Jeeva (@raghavanjeeva) December 13, 2024

A Brief Marriage with Lingering Turmoil

Atul and Nikita met through a matrimonial website and married on April 26, 2019, in Varanasi. According to Atul’s suicide note, Nikita spent only two days with her in-laws in Samastipur, Bihar, before relocating to Bengaluru. Their relationship quickly deteriorated, culminating in a long and contentious legal dispute that may have contributed to Atul’s tragic decision.

This case has spotlighted the emotional and financial strain of legal disputes and raised important questions about the support systems available for individuals navigating such challenges. Law enforcement continues its efforts to locate the accused and uncover the full scope of events leading up to this heartbreaking incident.


Read Also: Bengaluru Techie’s Tragic Suicide: Family Alleges Harassment by Estranged Wife and Judicial Corruption