Fri Dec 13 13:51:51 UTC 2024: ## Plea in Supreme Court Seeks Amendments to Dowry, Domestic Violence Laws Following Bengaluru Engineer’s Suicide
**New Delhi:** A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking amendments to existing dowry harassment and domestic violence laws following the death of Atul Subhash, a software engineer in Bengaluru. The petition, filed by Supreme Court advocate Vishal Tiwari, cites the suicide of Subhash, who left behind an 80-minute video and a 24-page suicide note accusing his wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family of harassment and extortion.
Subhash, an AI engineer, allegedly took his own life on December 9th. His suicide note detailed numerous false cases filed against him by his wife and in-laws, alleging dowry harassment, domestic violence, and even attempted murder. He also accused a family court judge in Jaunpur, Rita Kaushik, of demanding a bribe.
The petition calls for a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge to recommend necessary legal reforms. It proposes that details of gifts and money exchanged during a marriage be officially recorded during marriage registration. The plea further urges the court to consider and implement previous Supreme Court rulings aimed at preventing harassment by husbands and their families. It also suggests mandating an affidavit detailing gifts received during the marriage, to be included in the marriage registration documents.
Bengaluru police have registered a case under Section 108 (abetment to suicide) and Section 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code. However, no arrests have been made yet. The petition highlights the urgent need for stronger legal provisions to protect individuals from such abuse and prevent similar tragedies.
First Piper 