The Allahabad High Court has granted transit anticipatory bail to the fourth accused - Sushil Singhania, the uncle of first accused Nikita Singhania - in connection with the suicide of Atul Subhash, a techie who recently died by suicide after accusing his wife Nikita Singhania and her family of harassment and extortion.
Transit anticipatory bail provides protection to an accused from arrest until he or she can reach a court with jurisdiction in connection with the alleged offence. The measure is temporary in nature and is different from that of the ordinary bail that is granted after an arrest.
The bench headed by Justice Ashutosh Srivatsava passed the order and remarked that the bail pleas of Atul’s wife Nikita Singhania, mother-in-law Nisha Singhania and brother-in-law Anurag Singhania had become infructuous since they were arrested by the Karnataka Police.
The bench observed, that the allegations for instigating suicide have been raised primarily against the Family Court’s Principal Judge, mother-in-law and wife of the deceased. The charges against the fourth accused are limited to issuing threats to the deceased and his parents over the phone and in person.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru police on Monday stated that the two-year-old son of Atul Subhash is safe with one of the relatives and more information can’t be divulged in this regard as the matter is sensitive.
Speaking to media in Bengaluru DCP (Whitefield) Shivakumar Gunare stated, “What we can divulge is the child is with one of the relatives. Since the matter is sensitive, more information in this regard can’t be given. We will provide more information regarding the child in the coming days.”
He said that the court has ordered judicial custody of all accused, Atul’s wife Nikita Singhaniya, mother-in-law Nisha Singhania and brother-in-law Anurag Singhania. The case is being investigated without any bias.
Three accused in Atul Subhash's suicide case -- his wife, her mother and brother -- who were arrested by Bengaluru Police, were sent to 14-day judicial custody on Sunday.
Atul Subhash’s wife Nikita Singhania was arrested from Haryana’s Gurugram and her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania were nabbed in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
According to the police, Nikita was arrested in Gurugram, Haryana, while Nisha and Anurag were tracked down in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Police said that all three were arrested for abetment of suicide and were later remanded to judicial custody after being produced before the court.
The arrests followed an extensive search operation, with Bengaluru police seeking assistance from their Uttar Pradesh counterparts. Reports suggest that Nisha and Anurag fled their residence in Jaunpur late Wednesday before being located.
If you are aware of anyone feeling suicidal or facing mental health issues, please provide help. Here are some helpline numbers of suicide prevention organisations that can offer emotional support to individuals and families.
Tamil Nadu
State health department's suicide helpline: 104
Sneha Suicide Prevention Centre - 044-24640050 (listed as the sole suicide prevention helpline in Tamil Nadu)
Andhra Pradesh
Life Suicide Prevention: 78930 78930
Roshni: 9166202000, 9127848584
Karnataka
Sahai (24-hour): 080 65000111, 080 65000222
Kerala
Maithri: 0484 2540530
Chaithram: 0484 2361161
Both are 24-hour helpline numbers.
Telangana
State government's suicide prevention (tollfree): 104
Roshni: 040 66202000, 6620200
SEVA: 09441778290, 040 27504682 (between 9 am and 7 pm)
Aasara offers support to individuals and families during an emotional crisis, for those dealing with mental health issues and suicidal ideation, and to those undergoing trauma after the suicide of a loved one.
24x7 Helpline: 9820466726
Click here for working helplines across India.