Patna: The family of AI engineer Atul Subhash, 34, returned to Patna on Wednesday evening with his ashes, following his tragic death by suicide in Bengaluru. At the Patna airport, his grieving mother broke down and fainted, while his father, Pawan Kumar, vowed to fight for justice, alleging years of harassment and legal battles stemming from Atul’s marriage.
Atul married Nikita Singhania in April 2019, but according to his family, their relationship was fraught with discord. “Atul was never happy after marriage. His wife constantly harassed him,” said Pawan Kumar. Despite efforts to reconcile, the family claims the situation deteriorated, culminating in a series of legal cases against Atul and his relatives, including allegations of dowry harassment and attempted murder.
Pawan recounted that his daughter-in-law left for her maternal home with their young son in 2021 and subsequently filed multiple cases against the family. “We do not even have a tradition of dowry, but we were accused of it. My son believed he would get justice through the courts, but the system failed him,” he said.
The family alleged systemic corruption in the legal proceedings, claiming bribes were demanded for favorable outcomes. “Judges and officials asked for lakhs in bribes to settle cases. Atul was burdened by mounting financial and emotional pressures,” Pawan said, his voice breaking. “At one point, even the judge laughed when Atul spoke about his suffering.”
Atul’s younger brother, Vikas, said he received a distressing email late on December 8, prompting the family to rush to Bengaluru. By the time they arrived, it was too late. “Atul must have decided he couldn’t continue. He didn’t want to burden us further,” said Pawan, describing his son’s stoic demeanor in his final moments.
Atul’s last rites were performed on December 10 in Bengaluru, and his family now seeks to highlight the challenges he faced. They allege that repeated demands for exorbitant alimony and a lack of accountability in the judicial system pushed him to the brink.
The case has raised concerns about the mental health toll of prolonged legal battles and the treatment of individuals facing family disputes. “My son is gone, but I will fight for him,” Pawan Kumar said. “No other family should have to suffer like this.”
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