Lucknow: The family of Nikita Singhania, estranged wife of Bengaluru-based automobile executive Atul Subhash, has denied any role in his death by suicide on December 9, reports Dynamite News correspondent.
Atul has left behind a 24-page suicide note alongwith an 81-minute video alleging harassment from his wife and in-laws amid a contentious legal battle over divorce and child custody in a family court in Jaunpur in UP.
Harassment by wife
Atul Subhash, who was from Bihar but lived in Bengaluru and worked for a private firm, has alleged years of emotional distress because of harassment and multiple cases filed by his wife and her family, and a judge in Uttar Pradesh.
Allegations denied
Responding to the allegations, Nikita's paternal uncle Sushil Singhania said in Jaunpur, "Neither I nor any family member was present at the scene. The claims made in the video will be addressed by Nikita shortly."
He said the family had no contact with Atul in the past three years and expressed trust in the judiciary. "We are not guilty, and we trust the court to deliver a fair judgment."
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Brother files an FIR
Bikas Kumar, the brother of the 34-year Atul, has filed an FIR (First Information Report) in Bengaluru for abetment of suicide against Atul's wife Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha Singhania, her brother Anurag Singhania and her uncle Sushil Singhania.
Bikas Kumar in the complaint has accused Nikita and her family of demanding Rs 3 crore to withdraw police cases and Rs 30 lakh to grant visitation rights for Atul to see his four-year-old son.
Nikita's lawyer
Nikita's lawyer Vinod Srivastava defended the court's handling of the divorce and child custody case, stating that judicial officer Rita Kaushik acted within legal bounds. The civil court of Jaunpur ruled on the matter in July 2024, setting specific alimony for the couple's son.
FIR by Nikita
Nikita had filed an FIR on April 24, 2022, at Jaunpur Kotwali, accusing Atul, his parents Anju Devi and Pawan Modi, and younger brother Bikas of dowry harassment and violations under the Dowry Prohibition Act.
The FIR alleged that after their marriage on 26 April 2019, in Varanasi, Atul's family demanded a dowry of Rs 10 lakh. It also claimed that on 16 August 2019, Atul's parents again demanded Rs 10 lakh, leading to Nikita's father's sudden death the next day.
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On May 17, 2021, Nikita accused Atul of assaulting her and her mother before returning to her parental home.
In his suicide note, Atul refuted the allegations, stating that he and Nikita met through a matrimonial site and that she lived with her in-laws in Bihar's Samastipur for only two days before moving to Bengaluru. He also denied any link between the dowry demand and her father's death, asserting that he had long been ill and was treated at AIIMS Delhi before passing away in a local hospital.
Nikita, family flee Jaunpur
Meanwhile, in a late-night development, the residence of Nikita in Khoya Mandi area of Jaunpur was found locked late Wednesday night. It is alleged that the family might have fled fearing action by the Bengaluru police.
