The death of 34-year-old software engineer Atul Subhash has left the tech community and social media in shock, reigniting discussions on the challenges faced by men in contentious divorce and custody battles. Atul, originally from Bihar, died by suicide in his Bengaluru apartment on Monday, leaving behind a 24-page note and an 80-minute video that detail his anguish and accusations against his estranged wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family.
A key section of his note, addressed to his four-year-old son, has gone viral. Atul revealed that he had not seen his son since the boy was one year old and expressed heartbreak over the estrangement. His letter contained a mixture of personal reflections, advice for his son, and sharp critiques of the legal and societal systems he blamed for his despair.
“Son – when I first saw you, I thought that I could give my life for you any day. But, sadly, I am giving my life because of you,” Atul wrote. He admitted that he no longer remembered his son’s face and expressed feelings of detachment, even calling his son a “blackmail” used for extortion.
Atul’s brother, Bikas Kumar, has filed a complaint with the Marathahalli police against four people, including Nikita. Charges include abetment of suicide and collective criminal intent under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The FIR accuses Nikita of filing multiple false cases against Atul and making demands for large sums of money, including ₹30 lakh for visitation rights and ₹3 crore to settle the matter.
The court had previously ordered Atul to pay ₹80,000 monthly in maintenance, an amount Nikita reportedly sought to increase to ₹2 lakh. In his note, Atul criticized the financial burden imposed by the legal system, claiming it turned his son into “a liability.”
Atul’s note also addressed broader societal issues, particularly women’s empowerment movements, which he claimed had deviated from their purpose. “I used to think that women’s empowerment was probably a good and harmless idea… But this movement has gone astray. It must end,” he wrote.
In his deeply personal message to his son, Atul urged him to be self-reliant and skeptical of society and systems: “If my blood lives on in you, you will live, love, fight with all your heart, create beautiful things, and solve problems with your mind.”
Atul’s death has sparked an outpouring of support on social media, with many users expressing sympathy for the challenges faced by men in similar situations. The incident has also reignited calls for legal reforms, with advocates demanding a more balanced approach to custody and alimony cases.
Critics, however, have pointed out problematic elements in Atul’s note, accusing him of perpetuating sexist narratives and failing to take accountability for his choices.
The police are investigating the allegations, and Nikita Singhania has not yet commented publicly. Mental health professionals and activists are urging a nuanced approach to the case, emphasizing the importance of addressing systemic issues while discouraging harmful stereotypes.
