News Brief
Bengaluru Techie Atul Subhash's Suicide: Plea In Supreme Court Seeks Review of Dowry And Domestic Violence Laws
The Supreme Court of India.
In the wake of the tragic suicide of Bengaluru-based software engineer Atul Subhash, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking a review of dowry and domestic violence laws.
The petition, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, alleges that these laws are being misused to harass men and their families and calls for reforms to prevent such abuse.
The plea highlights that laws against dowry and domestic violence were originally enacted to protect married women.
However, it argues that these laws have now become a weapon in the hands of women to harass husbands and his parents.
Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old software engineer, reportedly died by suicide in Bengaluru, leaving behind a detailed suicide note and a video accusing his wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family of harassment.
The PIL requests the Supreme Court to form a committee comprising former judges, legal experts, and jurists to review and reform the existing dowry and domestic violence laws and curb their misuse.
The plea said the tragic suicide of Atul Subhash has triggered a nationwide debate on marital discord, the misuse of dowry prohibition laws and also men's mental health.
“Before he died by suicide, Atul Subhash recorded an 80-minute video in which he accused his estranged wife and her family of slapping multiple cases on him and his family to extort money from them. Atul Subhash also criticised the justice system in his 24-page suicide note”, said the plea, ETV Bharat reported.
