LUCKNOW: The family of Nikita Singhania, estranged wife of Bengaluru-based automobile executive Subhash Atul, denied Wednesday any involvement in his death by suicide two day ago. Atul, 34, left behind a 24-page suicide note and an 81-minute video alleging harassment from his wife and in-laws amid a contentious legal battle over divorce and child custody in a Jaunpur family court in UP.
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 last three years and expressed trust in the judiciary. “We are not guilty, and we trust the court to deliver a fair judgment.” A complaint filed by Atul’s brother Bikas Kumar 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. In the video, Atul is seen wearing a board around his neck that read “Justice is Due”.
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.
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 April 26, 2019, in Varanasi, Atul’s family demanded a dowry of Rs 10 lakh. It also claimed that on Aug 16, 2019, Atul’s parents again demanded Rs 10 lakh, leading to Nikita’s father’s sudden death the next day.
In his note, Atuldenied 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.