Days after Bengaluru-based techie Atul Subhash died by suicide, his wife Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha and brother Anurag were arrested by Bengaluru police on Saturday, December 14. Atul had reportedly left a suicide note and video alleging harresment and extortion by his wife and her family.
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.
Atul was found dead in his Munnekolala residence in Bengaluru on Monday, December 9. He had made a video before his death that is being widely shared. A suicide note and other documents that were reportedly left by him also went viral on social media websites. The note and the video accuse Atul’s wife and her family of extortion, and allege that a family court judge in Uttar Pradesh demanded a bribe to settle the maintenance case that his wife has filed against him.
Following his death, Atul’s brother, Bikas Kumar, filed a police complaint accusing Nikita, her mother, brother, and uncle of demanding Rs 3 crore to withdraw legal cases filed against Atul. The family allegedly sought Rs 30 lakh for granting Atul visitation rights to see his son.
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.
