{{Short description|Suicide of an Indian engineer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2025}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2025}} {{Infobox event | title = Suicide of Atul Subhash | Birthday = 25 January 1990 | date = {{start date|df=yes|2024|12|09}} | Location = Bengaluru, Karnataka, India | coordinates = <!-- {{coord|LAT|LON|region:XXXX_type:event|display=inline,title}} --> | type = Suicide by hanging | cause = Harassment and judicial misconduct | reported deaths = 1 (Atul Subhash) | arrests = 3 (Estranged wife, her mother, and her brother) }} '''Atul Subhash''' (25 January 1990<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/in/atulsubhash/</ref> – {{nowrap|9 December 2024}}) was a software engineer and artificial intelligence professional from Bengaluru, India, who was found dead in his apartment at Marathahalli, having died by suicide by hanging.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=13 December 2024|title=Indian software engineer's suicide sets off reckoning over bias in family courts|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3290748/software-engineers-suicide-sparks-accusation-gender-bias-indias-family-courts|access-date=26 January 2025|website=South China Morning Post}}</ref> The incident sparked discussions about various issues related to matrimonial disputes in India, regarding discrimination against men, dowry laws, the judicial system, and mental health awareness.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 December 2024|title=Atul Subhash: A man's suicide leads to clamour around India's dowry law|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33d6161z3yo|access-date=26 January 2025|website=www.bbc.com|language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Background ==
=== Marriage and divorce === Subhash was originally from Bihar<ref>{{Cite web|date=20 January 2025|title=Atul Subhash suicide: Supreme Court grants custody of late techie's son to wife Nikita Singhania|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/atul-subhash-suicide-supreme-court-grants-custody-of-late-techies-son-to-wife-nikita-singhania/3720789/|access-date=26 January 2025|website=Financialexpress}}</ref> and was involved in a divorce and custody dispute with his estranged wife, Nikita Singhania.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Techie Atul Subhash's Son To Stay With His Mother, Supreme Court Decides|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/techie-atul-subhash-son-custody-case-nikita-singhania-mother-supreme-court-want-to-see-child-supreme-court-on-battle-for-techie-atul-subhashs-son-7516538|access-date=26 January 2025|website=www.ndtv.com}}</ref> The couple, married in 2019, lived separately for three years and had a four-year-old son together.<ref>{{Cite news|date=15 December 2024|title=Who is Atul Subhash's wife?|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/etimes/trending/who-is-atul-subhashs-wife/articleshow/116207285.cms|access-date=26 January 2025|work=The Times of India|issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Allegations of harassment, extortion, and financial demands marked the divorce proceedings.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=13 December 2024|title=Indian software engineer's suicide sets off reckoning over bias in family courts|url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/lifestyle-culture/article/3290748/software-engineers-suicide-sparks-accusation-gender-bias-indias-family-courts|access-date=26 January 2025|website=South China Morning Post}}</ref>
=== Court proceedings === Subhash's note contained allegations that his in-laws had requested a settlement of {{INRConvert|30|m|year=2023}} and {{INRConvert|3|m|year=2023}} for visitation rights to their son as part of the divorce proceedings and had asked to raise monthly maintenance from {{INRConvert|40|k|year=2023}} to {{INRConvert|200|k|year=2023}}.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 December 2024|title=Atul Subhash: A man's suicide leads to clamour around India's dowry law|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33d6161z3yo|access-date=26 January 2025|website=www.bbc.com|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-23 |title=Atul Subhash: A man's suicide leads to clamour around India's dowry law |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33d6161z3yo |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> Subhash earned {{INRConvert|84|k|year=2023}} monthly and was asked to pay {{INRConvert|40|k|year=2023}} monthly amount towards his son in July and did not ask Subhash to compensate his wife as she was earning well in Delhi.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-12-13 |title=Judge 'laughed' when estranged wife told Bengaluru techie Atul to commit suicide |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/judge-laughed-when-estranged-wife-told-bengaluru-techie-atul-to-commit-suicide/articleshow/116234749.cms |access-date=2026-04-19 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Subhash did not approach his lawyer Dinesh Mishra, for appealing to lower the monthly maintenance since.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-12 |title=Bengaluru techie wasn't depressed, did not contest maintenance order: Lawyer |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bengaluru-techie-suicide-case-atul-subhash-wife-extortion-harassment-court-lawyer-depression-2648577-2024-12-12 |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref> The particular court based in Jaunpur had no online conferencing option, which Subhash had to travel frequently from Bangalore as he was unable to changing of location despite challenging it in court. He had attended 120 hearings in 3 years and was facing 6 cases, including for domestic violence and dowry harassment.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news|date=11 December 2024|title='Beat me up after drinking...': Atul Subhash's estranged wife accused him of harassment, abuse in police complaint|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/beat-me-up-after-drinking-atul-subhashs-estranged-wife-accused-him-of-harassment-abuse-in-police-complaint/articleshow/116221188.cms?from=mdr|access-date=26 January 2025|work=The Economic Times|issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
=== Suicide === On 9 December, Subhash was found dead in his apartment at Marathahalli, having died by suicide by hanging.<ref name=":0" /> Before his death, Subhash left behind a 24-page document and an 81{{nbh}}minute video recording. In these documents, he expressed his concerns and grievances regarding his divorce and custody case.<ref name=":1" /> He stated that the legal system was biased, particularly Section{{nbsp}}498A of the Indian Penal Code, which aims to protect women from domestic violence and dowry-related harassment. He also accused the Jaunpur District Court judge, Reeta Kaushik, of asking for a 5{{nbsp}}lakh bribe to settle the case, and taunting him into committing suicide when he refused.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sruti|first=Swastika|date=11 December 2024|title=Who Is Rita Kaushik? District Court Judge Who Provoked Atul Subhash To Kill Himself|url=https://www.newsx.com/india/who-is-rita-kaushik-district-court-judge-who-provoked-atul-subhash-to-kill-himself/|access-date=30 March 2025|website=NewsX World|language=en}}</ref>
Due to abatement to suicide case and related charges filed by Subhash's brother against Singhania, she was arrested and subsequently granted bail.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Techie Atul Subhash suicide: Supreme Court allows his wife to have custody of minor son |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/haryana/techie-atul-subhash-suicide-supreme-court-allows-his-wife-to-have-custody-of-minor-son/ |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=The Tribune |language=en}}</ref>
== Aftermath == Subhash left behind a suicide note titled "''This ATM has been closed permanently''", which became a rally cry for victims of the Legal System in India, and allowed them to seek help<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title='This ATM Is Closed Now': Harrowing Details Of Bengaluru Techie Atul Subhash's Life And Death|url=https://www.news18.com/india/this-atm-is-closed-now-harrowing-details-of-bengaluru-techie-atul-subhashs-life-and-death-9153273.html|access-date=30 March 2025|website=News18|language=en}}</ref> from men's rights organizations such as the Save Indian Family Foundation.
The death of Subhash led to widespread discussion and debate about the rights of men in India.<ref>{{Cite web|title='Justice for Atul Subhash' rally held in Ahmedabad, seek gender-neutral laws|url=https://english.gujaratsamachar.com/news/gujarat/justice-for-atul-subhash-rally-held-in-ahmedabad-seek-gender-neutral-laws|access-date=26 January 2025|website=english.gujaratsamachar.com}}</ref> Some advocates argued that reforms are needed in the family law system, citing concerns about potential misuse of existing laws.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Atul Subhash suicide: Deeper problems of law and its implementation|url=https://www.theweek.in/theweek/current/2024/12/21/the-suicide-of-atul-subhash-is-symptomatic-of-deeper-problems-of-the-law-and-its-implementation.html|access-date=26 January 2025|website=The Week}}</ref> A police investigation was conducted, and Singhania and several family members were charged under {{nowrap|Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code}} (IPC) related to abetment to suicide.<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 January 2025|title=Atul Subhash suicide case: SC to hear plea by Bengaluru techie's mother seeking grandson's custody on January 20 {{!}} Today News|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/atul-subhash-suicide-case-sc-to-hear-plea-by-bengaluru-techies-mother-seeking-grandsons-custody-on-january-20-11737188039619.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122084152/https://www.livemint.com/news/india/atul-subhash-suicide-case-sc-to-hear-plea-by-bengaluru-techies-mother-seeking-grandsons-custody-on-january-20-11737188039619.html|archive-date=22 January 2025|access-date=26 January 2025|work=mint}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=15 December 2024|title=What Bengaluru police said on arrest of Atul Subash's wife in abetment to suicide case|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-bengaluru-police-said-on-arrest-of-atul-subashs-wife-in-abetment-to-suicide-case-101734235748881.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225095400/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/what-bengaluru-police-said-on-arrest-of-atul-subashs-wife-in-abetment-to-suicide-case-101734235748881.html|archive-date=25 December 2024|access-date=26 January 2025|work=Hindustan Times}}</ref> The Bengaluru Court granted them bail in December 2024.<ref>{{Cite news|date=4 January 2025|title=Atul Subhash death case: Bengaluru techie's wife and in-laws granted bail|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/accused-in-atul-subhash-death-case-granted-bail/article69062191.ece|access-date=26 January 2025|work=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=5 January 2025|title=Bengaluru court grants bail to techie Atul Subhash's wife, in-laws in abetment to suicide case|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/bangalore/court-grants-bail-techie-atul-subhash-wife-in-laws-suicide-case-9760166/|access-date=26 January 2025|website=The Indian Express}}</ref>
Atul's case also resulted in attention to various similar men who committed suicides after judicial abuse, such as Suresh Sathadiya,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=Mashable News|date=6 January 2025|title=Gujarat Man Commits Suicide, Wife Booked Over Accusations Made In Final Video; 'Teach Her A Lesson'|url=https://in.mashable.com/culture/87606/gujarat-man-commits-suicide-wife-booked-over-accusations-made-in-final-video-teach-her-a-lesson|access-date=30 March 2025|website=Mashable India|language=en-in}}</ref> Nitin Padiyar,<ref>{{Cite web|date=22 January 2025|title=Indore's Nitin Padiyar, 28, Allegedly Dies by Suicide, Cites Harassment by Ex-Wife & In-Laws in Note - The Logical Indian|url=https://thelogicalindian.com/indores-nitin-padiyar-28-allegedly-dies-by-suicide-cites-harassment-by-ex-wife-in-laws-in-note/|access-date=30 March 2025|website=thelogicalindian.com|language=en-US}}</ref> and Puneet Khurana.<ref>{{Cite news|date=3 January 2025|title='Can't ask my parents to pay further': Like Atul Shubhash, here's what Puneet Khurana said in video before suicide|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/cant-ask-my-parents-to-pay-further-like-atul-shubhash-heres-what-puneet-khurana-said-in-video-before-suicide/articleshow/116900899.cms?from=mdr|access-date=31 March 2025|work=The Economic Times|issn=0013-0389}}</ref>
Supreme court released an 8 point factors to decide alimony amount and warned courts against misuse of relevant laws.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-12 |title=Atul Subhash suicide case: Supreme Court lists 8 factors to decide alimony amount - BusinessToday |url=https://www.businesstoday.in/india/story/atul-subhash-suicide-case-supreme-court-lists-8-factors-to-decide-alimony-amount-457025-2024-12-12 |access-date=2026-04-19 |website=Business Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bhargava |first=Ashish Kumar |date=11 Dec 2024 |title=Amid Atul Subhash Suicide Shocker, Supreme Court's Big Remark On Dowry Cases |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/atul-subhash-nikita-singhania-amit-atul-subhash-suicide-row-supreme-courts-big-remark-on-dowry-cases-7222267 |work=NDTV}}</ref>
Subhash's death sparked an online backlash against feminism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chakraborthy |first=Antara |date=2026-01-07 |title=Misogyny as an Operational Strategy in India’s Digital Extremism |url=https://voxpol.eu/misogyny-india-digital-extremism-manosphere/ |access-date=2026-04-30 |website=VOX - Pol |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Hussain |first=Saba |last2=Maloney |first2=Marcus |date=14 Oct 2025 |title=Online misogyny and pedagogies of Hindutva digital subjectivation: reflections from the Indian manosphere |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2025.2568399 |journal=Gender and Education |pages=1-19}}</ref>
== See also == {{Portal|India}} * Men's rights movement in India * Suicide in India
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Subhash, Atul, Suicide of}} Category:2020s crimes in India Category:2024 deaths Category:2024 suicides Category:Bullying and suicide Category:Controversies in India Category:Deaths by person in India Category:December 2024 in India Category:Discrimination in India Category:Male suicides Category:People from Bengaluru Category:Suicides by hanging in India Category:Violence against men in India Category:Arranged marriage Category:Domestic violence in India Category:Fathers' rights movement