Karnataka Home Minister G. Parmeshwara stated on Sunday that the suicide of techie Atul Subhash has sparked a national debate about men’s rights. Subhash took his life on December 9, accusing his wife and her family of harassment. He left behind a 24-page note, with the words “Justice is due” written on each page.
Subhash claimed his wife had filed nine cases against him, including charges of murder, sexual misconduct, harassment for money, domestic violence, and dowry demands.
“This suicide has started a nationwide debate. We’ve always discussed women’s rights. However, this case reveals how weak the system is when it comes to men’s rights,” said Parmeshwara. He emphasized that the case highlights the vulnerability of men in the current system.
The Minister identified two key points in the investigation: why Subhash committed suicide and why his wife continued filing cases against him. “The police are investigating the suicide. They have already arrested his wife and mother-in-law,” he added.
Details of the Case
Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old deputy general manager, died by suicide in his Bengaluru apartment. In his note, he accused his wife and her family of harassment. Furthermore, he claimed that a judge had demanded ₹5 lakh to “settle” the case.
Subhash’s father, Pawan Kumar, revealed that his son had been deeply affected by the multiple cases filed against him and his family. “He was broken inside, though he didn’t tell anyone,” Kumar told ANI. Subhash had been determined to fight corruption, but the ongoing cases wore him down.
Subhash’s wife began filing cases against him and his family in January 2021. “She started filing cases in January 2021. My son thought she had left after the pandemic, but she then began filing cases against our entire family,” said Kumar.
The police have arrested Subhash’s wife, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law in connection with the case.
Supreme Court’s Concern
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court expressed concern about the growing misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). This law punishes cruelty by husbands or their families toward married women. The court observed that it has become a tool for personal vendettas. Justices BV Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh made this statement in a case where they dismissed a Section 498A case against a husband and his parents.