A 34-year-old man was found dead in his Munnekolala residence in Bengaluru on Monday, December 9. The deceased, identified as Atul Subhash, made a video before his death that is being widely shared. A suicide note and other documents that were reportedly left by the deceased are also 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 UP demanded a bribe to settle the maintenance case that his wife has filed against him.
Atul, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh and worked at a tech firm in Marathahalli, reportedly shared his suicide note late Sunday night on a WhatsApp group of an NGO that supports men in marital disputes. According to the police, he sought the group’s help over alleged harassment linked to ongoing disputes with his wife.
The police said Atul’s wife, an employee of a multinational company in Delhi, had filed nine cases against him and his parents, including allegations of dowry harassment, unnatural sex, and murder.
Parts of the note allege that Atul’s mother-in-law instigated him to die by suicide at the chambers of a family court judge in Uttar Pradesh, and that the judge laughed at his mother-in-law’s remark.
The Marathahalli police have filed a case under Section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Atul’s wife and three of her family members. Investigations are ongoing.
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.