The Impressive TimesBengaluru, January 21, 2025: In a significant development in the Bengaluru-based techie Atul Subhash’s suicide case, the Supreme Court on Monday granted custody of Subhash’s minor son to his estranged wife, Nikita Singhania, despite serious allegations surrounding her. The ruling was delivered by a bench consisting of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and S.C. Sharma, who dismissed the plea made by Subhash’s mother, Anju Devi, for custody of the child. The court cited the child’s best interests as the primary factor in its decision, noting that the child, who is currently attending a boarding school in Haryana, is better off with his mother.
The bench observed that Anju Devi lacked sufficient interaction with her grandson to assume guardianship, stressing the need for stability in the child’s life. The justices also noted that the child’s well-being should not be disrupted unnecessarily and that Nikita Singhania was better positioned to provide for the child’s needs. Before making its final decision, the court had a private interaction with the child through an online session, ensuring that his voice was heard in the process.
Justice Nagarathna further emphasized the importance of maintaining consistency in the child’s environment and rejected Anju Devi’s claim that the boarding school setting was unsuitable. The court had also requested periodic updates from both the Haryana government and Nikita Singhania regarding the child’s condition and upbringing, indicating its intent to ensure the child’s proper welfare.
Atul Subhash, originally from Uttar Pradesh, was found dead in his Bengaluru apartment on December 9 of last year. He had been living separately from his wife, Nikita Singhania, after their marriage ran into serious trouble. Subhash left behind a detailed 24-page note and an 81-minute video before his death, where he accused his wife and her family of harassment. He alleged that they had demanded a significant sum of money to resolve ongoing legal disputes and that they sought a further sum to allow him to visit his son. Subhash also claimed that a family court judge in Uttar Pradesh had shown bias in favor of his in-laws.
The case took a criminal turn when Subhash’s brother, Bikas Kumar, filed a complaint, prompting the Marathahalli police in Bengaluru to charge Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha Singhania, her brother Anurag, and her uncle Sushil with abetment to suicide. The charges included demanding ₹3 crore to withdraw cases and ₹30 lakh for allowing Subhash visitation rights. In mid-December, the police arrested Nikita in Gurugram, Haryana, while her mother and brother were apprehended in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. However, the trio was granted bail by a Bengaluru court on January 4, 2025.
This Supreme Court ruling brings an important legal resolution to the custody battle for Atul Subhash’s son. It underscores the court’s priority on the child’s welfare over the emotional and legal complications surrounding the case. Despite the ongoing criminal charges, the court has ensured that the child’s stability and upbringing remain at the forefront of the decision-making process. The child’s future remains a focal point as the legal proceedings continue to unfold.
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