When Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash takes his own life, he leaves behind more than just grief—he leaves a damning indictment of a broken system. In a detailed suicide note, Atul exposes allegations of relentless harassment from his wife, false legal cases, and a judiciary tarnished by corruption.
BY PC Bureau
The tragic death of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash has brought to light the murky side of the judiciary, which many victims hesitate to speak about openly due to fears of defamation lawsuits.
Breaking this silence, Pawan Kumar, the father of Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old deputy general manager at a private firm who died by suicide, revealed that his son had been “broken from inside” after facing relentless legal battles instigated by his wife.
Subhash was found dead in his Bengaluru apartment on December 9, leaving behind a 24-page suicide note accusing his wife, her relatives, and even a judge of harassment and corruption. In the note, Subhash alleged that a judge had demanded ₹5 lakh to “settle” his case.
“My son often said there was corruption, but he believed he could fight it as he was on the path of truth,” Pawan Kumar told ANI. “Yet he was deeply broken inside, though he never expressed it to anyone.”
A String of Legal Cases
Subhash’s ordeal reportedly began in January 2021 when his wife started filing multiple cases against him and his family. Pawan Kumar, who lives in Bihar’s Samastipur, recounted that Subhash initially thought his wife had temporarily moved to her maternal home during the pandemic with their then one-year-old son. However, she soon began filing cases, extending accusations to Subhash’s parents and brother.
A team of Bengaluru police, including a female officer, recently visited Jaunpur in Uttar Pradesh, the residence of Subhash’s in-laws, as part of the investigation.
Allegations of Judicial Corruption
Subhash’s father accused the presiding judge of demanding bribes during mediation. “The mediation began with ₹20,000, which then escalated to ₹40,000. Finally, the judge said a settlement would require ₹5 lakh,” Kumar alleged.
Family in Shock
Vikas, Subhash’s brother, expressed shock over the incident. “We talked to him normally and had no idea he would take such a drastic step. Even his friends were unaware of what he was going through,” Vikas said.
Vikas also alleged that false cases were filed against the entire family, resulting in severe mental torture for his brother. “Action should be taken against those who falsely accused and harassed my brother,” he demanded.
Pleas for Reform
Subhash had reportedly written detailed emails to several leaders and institutions, including the President and the Supreme Court, pleading for justice. His brother called for the establishment of legal forums where men can seek redressal, stating, “Laws made to empower women are being misused today.”
Growing Concern Over Section 498A
The Supreme Court recently expressed concern over the misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses cruelty by husbands and their families toward married women. While quashing a case in an unrelated matter, a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh noted that the section had often been weaponized for personal vendettas.
“Justice Is Due”
Subhash’s suicide note repeatedly bore the words “Justice is due.” He alleged his wife had filed nine cases against him, ranging from accusations of murder and sexual misconduct to harassment for money, domestic violence, and dowry demands.
This incident has sparked widespread debate over the misuse of legal provisions and the need for systemic reforms to ensure justice for all.
