Mon Dec 30 18:02:11 UTC 2024: ## Wife of Bengaluru Man Who Died by Suicide Denied Bail, Custody Battle Ensues
**Bengaluru, India –** The wife of Atul Subhash, an automobile company employee who died by suicide allegedly due to his wife’s demands for a ₹3 crore divorce settlement, is facing a bail hearing on January 4th. Her bail application has been met with strong opposition from Subhash’s family, who argue she should not be granted bail and are fighting for custody of their 4-year-old grandson.
Subhash’s family claims his wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family relentlessly harassed him, culminating in his death on December 9th. A 90-minute video and a 40-page suicide note detailed the alleged harassment and financial demands. Singhania, her mother, and brother were arrested and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody on charges of abetment to suicide under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
The family’s lawyer, Akash Jindal, stated the accused should not be allowed to use the child as leverage for bail. They expressed grave concern for the child’s safety, stating that Singhania used the child as an “ATM,” demanding increasing amounts of money under the guise of childcare. They further allege that Singhania’s actions demonstrate a pattern of abuse that could endanger the child’s life.
Subhash’s father, Pavan Kumar Modi, voiced his fears, stating, “If she can drive my son to suicide, she can also do the same to the kid.” The family has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court to secure custody of the child, who is currently separated from his mother and staying in a hostel with his grandparents. They are awaiting a Supreme Court hearing on January 7th regarding the child’s whereabouts and custody. Subhash’s brother, Bikas Kumar, expressed satisfaction with the police investigation and reiterated the family’s determination to gain custody of the child. The family contends that conflicting allegations of dowry demands exist, with Singhania’s family claiming Subhash demanded a large dowry.
First Piper 