Mumbai: The tragic suicide of Bengaluru-based techie Atul Subhash, allegedly due to harassment by his estranged wife and in-laws, has ignited a heated debate on the misuse of anti-dowry laws in India.
Legal experts and activists have voiced concerns about the implications of such misuse, potentially undermining the very purpose of these protective measures. Mumbai-based lawyer Abha Singh described the incident as a “gross misuse of law,” emphasising how false allegations and systemic harassment led to Subhash’s death.
She noted that Subhash’s suicide note detailed a series of grievances, including accusations of fabricated legal complaints and extortion. “Dowry laws were created to protect women, but their misuse can deny justice to those who genuinely need protection,” Singh told ANI news agency.
According to the lawyer, Subhash’s note revealed that he faced nine police complaints, including charges of murder, dowry harassment and domestic violence — all of which he claimed were baseless. Singh further highlighted the financial and emotional toll on Subhash.
“He was paying Rs 2 lakhs (Rs200,000) per month to his wife but was still denied access to his son. He mentioned being forced to provide expensive gifts to his wife’s family, including her mother and brother. A case of abetment to suicide must be registered against the wife and her relatives,” she asserted.
The misuse of dowry laws, Singh added, not only harms men but also weakens the credibility of genuine cases. “Blackmailing someone into suicide is deplorable. My heart goes out to his mother and the four-year-old son who will now grow up without a father due to his mother’s greed,” she told ANI.
Activists demand systemic reform
Advocate Vikas Pahwa on Wednesday called for urgent reforms to curb the misuse of Section 498A, which deals with dowry harassment.
Speaking on the issue, Pahwa described the case as “very serious” and highlighted how the law has been exploited over the years, particularly by disgruntled individuals looking to extort money from the husband’s family.
As a criminal lawyer with over three decades of experience, Pahwa recounted how he has personally witnessed the abuse of Section 498A by some within the legal fraternity, police machinery, and those filing false cases. He emphasized that while there are genuine instances of dowry harassment, a large number of cases are filed with the ulterior motive of pressuring the husband and his family into settling matters financially.
“The misuse of this law has a profound impact on the social fabric of society,” Pahwa said, pointing out that not only the husband, but also the father-in-law, mother-in-law, and other family members are often falsely implicated. “Most of these cases are baseless, and it is time serious action is taken to prevent such exploitation of the law,” he added.
Pahwa’s comments have drawn attention to the growing concern about the abuse of dowry laws in India, and he believes that the current legal framework needs to be overhauled to ensure that only genuine cases are pursued. The lawyer concluded by stressing the need for reforms to protect families from wrongful legal action and to preserve the integrity of the justice system.
Not an isolated case
Men’s rights activist Barkha Trehan echoed these sentiments, condemning the systemic bias against men in legal proceedings. “Atul Subhash is not an isolated case. Thousands of men have taken their lives under similar circumstances. The system’s bias often leaves men voiceless, even when educated women misuse these laws,” Trehan stated.
Trehan cited a Supreme Court observation claiming that 95 per cent of cases under IPC Section 498A (cruelty by husband or relatives) are false. “Laws designed for women’s safety are being weaponised,” she added. FIR and investigation Following a complaint by Subhash’s brother, an FIR was lodged at Bengaluru’s Marathahalli police station.
The complaint accused Subhash’s wife Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha Singhania, her brother Anurag Singhania, and her uncle Sushil Singhania of extortion, harassment and abetment to suicide.
The allegations include a demand for Rs3 crore (Rs30 million) to settle cases filed post-divorce and Rs30 lakh (Rs3 million) for visitation rights to his son. Police investigations revealed that Subhash had locked himself inside his flat in Bengaluru’s Manjunatha Layout before ending his life.
His 24-page suicide note, addressed to his family and the authorities, repeatedly called for justice. The note also implicated a family court judge and an officer in Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur for corruption and bias.
In a heart-wrenching video shared with an NGO, Subhash detailed the events that drove him to despair and urged his family not to immerse his ashes until justice is served. He also expressed hope that his parents would gain custody of his young son.
Larger implications
The case has reignited debates about balancing the protection of women with safeguards against misuse of laws. Legal experts argue that while anti-dowry laws are essential, mechanisms to prevent false allegations are equally critical.
Activists emphasize the need for gender-neutral laws to ensure fairness in cases of domestic disputes. As investigations continue, Subhash’s tragic story underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms to prevent such incidents in the future.
His plea for justice resonates not just with his family but also with many others advocating for fairness and accountability in India’s legal framework.
