Karnataka HC setback for Atul Subhash's wife: 'What more do you want?'

Atul Subhash died by suicide earlier this month. (Image: X)

In a setback to Atul Subhash's wife Nikita Singhania, the Karnataka high court on Monday refused to quash the FIR against her in the abetment to suicide case and said that all the ingredients of the offence seemed prima facie present in the FIR.

Atul, a Bengaluru-based software engineer, died by suicide last month and blamed his wife and her family members for mentally harassing him.

While hearing Nikita's plea seeking the quashing of FIR against her, Karnataka HC Justice SR Krishna Kumar said: “My reading of this complaint is that ingredients are made out. And it is not a case of quashing.”

Singhania’s lawyer had argued that the FIR did not disclose the commission of the offence. However, the court said that the complaint has all the details regarding the alleged offence.

“Details are given (in the complaint and FIR). Look at the complaint. All details are given. Tell me what more should have been given for abetment of suicide? According to me, all contents of abetment are there. Everything is narrated. In matters of this type, what more do you want?” the HC further said in an oral observation, reported news agency IANS.

The judge then asked the prosecution to submit details of the probe conducted so far and the material collected in the case.

Nikita and her family members were granted interim bail by a Bengaluru court on Saturday in connection to the abetment of suicide case.

She was earlier arrested from Haryana’s Gurugram and sent to judicial custody.

Following a complaint by Atul Subhash's brother, Bikas Kumar, an FIR was filed under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) Nikita and her family for allegedly abetting his suicide.

During police questioning, Nikita claimed that it was Atul who subjected her to harassment. She also shared that she had been living separately from her former husband, Atul, for almost three years. She reasoned that she would not have stayed away from him if she had harassed him for money.

Atul Subhash's suicide sparked outrage across the country, fueling calls for stricter laws regarding women's rights and alimony.