The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a plea by Anju Devi, the mother of Atul Subhash, a Bengaluru-based techie who died by suicide in December 2024, seeking custody of her four-year-old grandson. The court ruled that Devi was a “stranger to the child” and that custody matters should be addressed through proper legal channels.
Atul Subhash Case: What were the Supreme Court’s observations?
A bench comprising Justices Bela M Trivedi and N Kotiswar Singh clarified that the issue of custody should be raised before the appropriate trial court. The bench stated that the child is a stranger to the petitioner and if she wishes, she can visit the child. But for custody, the petitioner will have to follow a different procedure.
What happened to Atul Subhash?
Atul Subhash, aged 34, was found dead at his residence in Bengaluru on December 9, 2024. He reportedly left behind a letter and videos accusing his wife Nikita Singhania and her family of harassment, which he claimed drove him to take his own life. Subhash’s mother, Anju Devi, had filed a petition seeking custody of her grandson, alleging that her estranged daughter-in-law had concealed the child’s whereabouts.
Atul Subhash Suicide Case: What happened in the hearing?
During the hearing, the counsel for Subhash’s estranged wife informed the court that the child was studying at a boarding school in Haryana. Advocate Kumar Dushyant Singh, representing Devi, argued that children below six years of age should not be placed in boarding schools. He presented photographs of Devi interacting with the child when he was younger to support her custody claim.
Supreme Court’s Interim Orders
The Apex court has asked for the child be produced before it during the next hearing, which is scheduled for January 20. The bench also emphasised that the case should not be influenced by media narratives.
Bail granted to Atul Subhash’s wife Nikita Singhania and in-laws
A Bengaluru court had earlier granted bail on January 4 to Subhash’s estranged wife, Nikita Singhania, her mother, Nisha Singhania, and her brother, Anurag Singhania. They had been booked for abetment of suicide under Sections 108 (abetment of suicide) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, following Subhash’s death.
(With PTI Inputs)