Bengaluru, December 15: In a tragic turn of events, the Bengaluru police have arrested Nikita Singhania, the estranged wife of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash, along with her family members following allegations of harassment leading to Subhash’s death by suicide. The arrests include Nikita, her mother Nisha, and brother Anurag, who are now in 14-day judicial custody.
Arrests and Custody
Nikita, employed with Accenture, was apprehended in Gurugram, Haryana, while her mother and brother were arrested from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The trio was brought to Bengaluru and presented before a local court on Sunday, where they were remanded to judicial custody.
The Case Overview
Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old Artificial Intelligence engineer, died by suicide on December 9 in Bengaluru, leaving behind a 24-page suicide note, a 90-minute video, and a checklist detailing his alleged ordeal. He accused Nikita and her family of harassment through various legal and financial pressures.
The suicide note revealed several allegations, including:
Legal Battles: Nikita reportedly accused Subhash of dowry harassment, unnatural sex, and murder. She claimed her father died of shock due to dowry demands but later admitted the allegations were false during cross-examination.
Financial Strains: Subhash alleged that Nikita, on behalf of their minor son, initially demanded Rs 1 crore in maintenance, later escalating it to Rs 3 crore.
These accusations have resulted in an abetment of suicide case under sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, filed based on a complaint by Subhash’s brother, Bikas Kumar.
Anticipatory Bail Pleas
Amid public outrage, Nikita and her family filed anticipatory bail pleas in the Allahabad High Court. The applications followed a summons issued by the Bengaluru police, instructing Nikita to appear within three days.
Subhash’s death has sparked widespread discussions on mental health and the pressures of legal disputes, with many calling for a thorough investigation into the allegations. The case continues to unfold, as authorities delve deeper into the tragic circumstances surrounding Subhash’s demise.
