Karnataka HC Rejects Plea To Cancel FIR Against Nikita Singhania In Atul Subhash Suicide Case

The Karnataka High Court on Monday rejected the request to cancel the First Information Report (FIR) against Nikita Singhania in connection with the alleged suicide of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash.

Subhash, an employee of an automobile company in Bengaluru, reportedly died by suicide due to alleged harassment and demands for Rs 3 crore from his wife, Nikita Singhania, for a divorce settlement.

Photo Credit: PTI

The single bench, led by Justice SR Krishna Kumar, issued the decision orally, reported IANS. The bench expressed disapproval of the demands made by Subhash's wife, stating that the FIR clearly laid out the grounds for charging the case under abetment of suicide. "What more can the bench look into?" the bench remarked.

"The prima facie ingredients of the offence are evident in the complaint. Why do you not want the investigation to take place?" the bench questioned Ms Singhania.

Her counsel argued that the complaint did not provide grounds for the FIR to be registered under abetment of suicide. It was also claimed that Atul Subhash had not mentioned any actions by his wife or family members that led him to take his life.

The counsel further contended that the petitioner had the right to seek legal remedies and should not be prosecuted merely for lodging a complaint against Atul Subhash.

The court issued notices to the respondents and instructed them to file objections. It also directed the prosecution to submit the materials collected during the investigation.

On January 4, a Bengaluru court granted bail to Nikita Singhania, the estranged wife, and her in-laws in connection with Atul Subhash's suicide. The family of Subhash, who cited a troubled marriage and accused his wife of harassment, intends to appeal the decision in the Karnataka High Court.

The bail was granted to Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha Singhania, and her brother-in-law Anurag Singhania. Subhash had died by suicide, alleging that his wife demanded Rs 3 crore for a divorce settlement.

The police filed an FIR against the accused under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) on December 9. Bikas Kumar, Subhash's brother, had filed a police complaint alleging abetment to suicide with the Marathahalli police in Bengaluru.

Bikas Kumar claimed in his complaint that the accused lodged false cases against his brother, demanding Rs 3 crore to settle the divorce. He further alleged that his brother was taunted in court, with the suggestion that he would either give the money or end his life.

Nikita Singhania's family claimed that Subhash had demanded a substantial dowry, which allegedly led to the death of her father.

Pavan Kumar Modi, Atul Subhash's father, expressed concern over the safety of his grandson. "If the court grants bail to Atul's wife, she could harm the child and endanger his life. If she drove my son to suicide, she could do the same to the child," he stated.

He also remarked, "My grandson was her ATM. She received money on the pretext of caring for him. She initially requested Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000, then appealed for Rs 80,000. Despite this, she continued to demand more money. Therefore, we have approached the Supreme Court for the custody of the child, as he is safer with us."