Amid public outrage following the tragic suicide of Bengaluru-based techie Atul Subhash, the Supreme Court has introduced an eight-point formula to guide courts in deciding alimony amounts in divorce cases involving Hindu couples. Subhash, originally from Bihar, left behind an 80-minute video and a 24-page suicide note accusing his estranged wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family of harassment and extortion. The incident has sparked widespread calls for justice.
In a related hearing involving a separate divorce case, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna B Varale laid out the following eight factors to guide courts in determining permanent alimony:
Status of the parties, social and financial.
Reasonable needs of the wife and dependent children.
Parties’ individual qualifications and employment statuses.
Independent income or assets owned by the applicant.
Standard of life enjoyed by the wife in the matrimonial home.
Any employment sacrifices made for family responsibilities.
Reasonable litigation costs for a non-working wife.
Financial capacity of the husband, including his income, maintenance obligations, and liabilities.
The court emphasized that these guidelines are not rigid rules but serve as a framework to ensure fairness. The goal is to ensure a decent standard of living for the wife without financially penalizing the husband.
Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old engineer, took his own life at his apartment in Bengaluru on Monday. In his final statements, he alleged prolonged harassment and extortion by his wife and her family, citing false legal cases and financial demands. According to the FIR filed at Marathahalli police station, Nikita Singhania and her family had demanded Rs 3 crore to settle their disputes and an additional Rs 30 lakh for granting Atul access to their son. The complaint was lodged by Atul’s brother, Bikas Kumar.
The FIR names four accused: Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha Singhania, brother Anurag Singhania, and uncle Sushil Singhania. Charges have been filed under Sections 108 (Abetment of suicide) and 3(5) (Criminal act carried out by multiple persons with a common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Notices are expected to be issued to the accused for investigation.
Subhash’s tragic death has triggered widespread public support on social media, with users demanding justice for the deceased and harsher penalties for harassment. The 24-page suicide note and the video, reportedly shared with an NGO and others, highlight his despair over the legal and emotional pressures he faced.
Authorities are now investigating the allegations of false cases and financial extortion. The case has brought renewed attention to the misuse of legal provisions in marital disputes and the psychological toll it takes on individuals.
