Bengaluru Techie Suicide: Who Is Rita Kaushik? Family Court Judge Named In Atul Subhash Case

The tragic suicide of Atul Subhash, a well-known AI engineer, has reverberated throughout the country. He left behind a 24-page note and an almost hour-long video in which he levied serious accusations against his wife, Nikita, her family, and members of the judiciary. In light of these allegations, police have initiated a case of abetment to suicide against Subhash's wife and her relatives. Additionally, he accused Family Court Judge Rita Kaushik of soliciting large sums of money to influence the outcome of his case.

In his note, Subhash described instances of corruption and unethical behavior within the judicial system. He claimed that Judge Kaushik demanded a bribe of ₹5 lakh for a favorable verdict in his case. Furthermore, he alleged that a court clerk had requested ₹3 lakh in 2022 to arrange hearing dates. He contended that his refusal to pay these sums resulted in an unfavorable ruling that imposed a monthly alimony obligation of ₹80,000 on him.

Subhash specifically highlighted a bribe demand from the judge in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, where his in-laws reside, claiming that she sought ₹5 lakh. He had previously addressed a letter to the President of India, criticizing the criminal justice system and drawing attention to what he perceived as an alarming increase in false accusations made by estranged wives against their husbands.

The suicide note vividly illustrated the challenges Subhash faced within the judicial framework, stating that requests for bribes were commonplace. He claimed that Judge Kaushik indicated she could expedite the resolution of his case by December 2024 if he agreed to pay her privately.

Who Is This Family Court Judge Rita Kaushik?

Judge Rita Kaushik was born on July 1, 1968, in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, and has built a notable career in the judiciary. She started her tenure as a Junior Division Civil Judge in 1996 and has held various positions across Uttar Pradesh, including in Saharanpur, Mathura, and Amroha. Notably, she served as the Principal Judge of the Family Court in Ayodhya from 2018 to 2022 and is currently a judge in Jaunpur.

Her academic credentials include a BA with honors, an LLB, and an LLM, all of which she completed with commendable distinction.