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Punjab and Haryana HC awards Rs 2 lakh compensation to man falsely booked under Narcotics Act for carrying paracetamol tablets

OpIndia Staff
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Punjab and Haryana HC awards Rs 2 lakh compensation to man falsely booked under Narcotics Act for carrying paracetamol tablets

On 3rd December, the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Government of Punjab to pay compensation of Rs 2 lakh to a 36-year-old man who was wrongfully arrested and incarcerated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Gurdeep Singh (name changed) was returning from his field when he was stopped by the Punjab Police. He was arrested on the accusation of possessing narcotic capsules which turned out to be paracetamol. In a strongly worded judgment, Justice Kirti Singh criticised the Punjab Police for its “high-handedness”. OpIndia accessed the copies of judgment and FIR in the matter.

Background of the case

According to the FIR filed in the case, SHO Sultanpur Lodhi, along with other police personnel, saw a car coming from the side of the cremation ground of Mothawala. Gurdeep, who was driving the car, tried to flee the scene, but the tyre of his car got stuck in a paddy field. The police claimed that he attempted to dispose of the narcotic capsules when he saw the police approaching his car. Gurdeep was eventually arrested and sent to jail under the NDPS Act.

Notably, the FIR in the matter was not registered on the day he was arrested but two days after the arrest. For two days, he was kept in illegal confinement. According to the court documents, Gurdeep was arrested on 24th June and the FIR was registered on 26th June. Interestingly, the capsules were sent for forensic analysis, and it was found that they contained paracetamol and not any narcotics. The report was sent to the police on 31st August 2024. However, it was only 19 days after the report was issued that Gurdeep was released on bail, and that too after the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

During the hearing, Gurdeep’s counsel argued that he was innocent and that the police arrested him only because he did not give way to the VIP vehicle coming behind him.

Court’s critique of police conduct

In the judgment, the court criticised the police for their high-handedness and delay in presenting the cancellation report. Justice Singh noted, “This is a case before this Court where, due to the high-handedness of the police authorities, the petitioner was subjected to prolonged incarceration for a period of about 13 days despite the fact that the recovery made from him was tablets containing the salt Acetaminophen (Paracetamol), and the concerned police authorities, despite having received the FSL report on 31.08.2024, failed to act promptly and get the petitioner immediately released/discharged in accordance with the law.”

The court added, “This Court is deeply troubled by the high-handedness of the police authorities, who have flagrantly disregarded the fundamental rights of a citizen as envisaged in the Constitution of India.” Notably, Singh was released on bail on 13th September 2024, only after the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Court awards Rs 2 lakh compensation

Justice Singh directed the Punjab Government to pay compensation of Rs 2 lakh to Gurdeep. Notably, the court instructed the government to recover half of the amount from the salary of Sub-Inspector Rajinder Singh, who was the investigating officer in the matter.

The order read, “The State of Punjab shall pay compensation to the tune of Rs. 2,00,000/-, which shall be paid to the petitioner within a period of one month, and 50% of this compensation amount shall be recovered from the salary of the erring official, Sub-Inspector Rajinder Singh.”

Right to privacy maintained by the court

Furthermore, the court mandated the masking of the petitioner’s name in the Digital Court records related to the case. The move can be seen as an effort to maintain the Right to Privacy of the petitioner, noting that he was wrongly incarcerated.

Section 498A being misused to force husband to fulfil unreasonable demands, for personal vendetta: Supreme Court

OpIndia Staff
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Section 498A being misused to force husband to fulfil unreasonable demands, for personal vendetta: Supreme Court

Amidst a nationwide outrage over the suicide of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash over alleged harassment by his wife and in-laws, the Supreme Court on Tuesday (11th December), hearing a different case, said that Section 498A which penalises cruelty by husband and his family against women, is being massively misused.

During the hearing of a case, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices BV Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh noted that while some laws were originally meant to protect women against domestic violence and harassment, they are being widely misused by some women to compel husbands and their family into complying their unreasonable demands. Moreover, laws like Section 498(A) of the Indian Penal Code are being misused by some wives to unleash personal vendetta against husbands and their families.

Calling out the arm-twisting tactics, the court said, “Sometimes, recourse is taken to invoke Section 498A of the IPC against the husband and his family in order to seek compliance with the unreasonable demands of a wife. In recent years, as there have been a notable rise in matrimonial disputes across the country, accompanied by growing discord and tension within the institution of marriage, consequently, there has been a growing tendency to misuse provisions like Section 498A of the IPC as a tool for unleashing personal vendetta against the husband and his family by a wife. Making vague and generalised allegations during matrimonial conflicts, if not scrutinized, will lead to the misuse of legal processes and encouragement for use of arm twisting tactics by a wife and/or her family.”

The apex court made these observations while setting aside a cruelty case filed against a man and his family under Section 498(A). The Telangana High Court had earlier refused to dismiss this case.

The Supreme Court further stated that the Telangana High Court “committed a grave error” in not rejecting the petition, alleging that it was submitted by the wife with ulterior motives to settle personal scores.

Quashing the case, the top court said, “We are not, for a moment, stating that any woman who has suffered cruelty in terms of what has been contemplated under Section 498A of the IPC should remain silent and forbear herself from making a complaint or initiating any criminal proceeding. That is not the intention of our aforesaid observations but we should not encourage a case like as in the present one, where as a counterblast to the petition for dissolution of marriage sought by the first appellant-husband of the second respondent herein, a complaint under Section 498A of the IPC is lodged by the latter.”

Over 300 vials of deadly virus samples go missing from a lab in Australia in major biosecurity breach, probe launched

OpIndia Staff
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Over 300 vials of deadly virus samples go missing from a lab in Australia in major biosecurity breach, probe launched

In a major distress to the people in Australia, the Queensland government on Monday, 9th December revealed that samples of hundreds of deadly viruses had gone missing from a laboratory in Australia. Following this, the government directed Queensland Health, Australia’s public health department, to launch an investigation into the case and trace evidence revolving around the major historical breach of biosecurity protocols.

As per the initial reports, around 323 vials of multiple infectious viruses consisting of the Hendra virus, Lyssavirus, and Hantavirus have gone missing from Queensland’s Public Health Virology Laboratory. The govt Virology Laboratory provides state-wide specialist diagnostic services, surveillance and research for viruses and mosquito and tick-borne pathogens. Notably, the samples have been missing since August 2023, but the investigation into the case was launched this week.

The state released an official statement on the case and said that a Part 9 investigation in the case has been lodged to know whether the infectious samples were stolen or destroyed deliberately, adding that there is no evidence of risk to the community.

“With such a serious breach of biosecurity protocols and infectious virus samples potentially missing, Queensland Health must investigate what occurred and how to prevent it from happening again. The Part 9 investigation will ensure nothing has been overlooked in responding to this incident and examine the current policies and procedures in operation today at the laboratory. This investigation will also consider regulatory compliance and staff conduct,” Minister Timothy Nicholls said in the release.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention commented on the lost viruses and said that Hendra is a zoonotic (animal-to-human) virus that has only been found in Australia while Lyssavirus is a group of viruses that can cause rabies.

Nicholls meanwhile also added that Queensland Health has since then taken serious measures including retraining staff on required regulations and conducting audits to ensure correct storage of materials.

The investigating officials further revealed that the samples are supposed to have gone missing sometime after a freezer used to store them broke down. “It’s not known whether the samples were moved elsewhere and then lost, or if they were destroyed without being recorded as such. It’s this part of the transfer of those materials that is causing concern,” Nicholls said.

“As it stands, there doesn’t seem to be a reason for major concern. There haven’t been any recorded cases of Hendra or lyssavirus in the area over the past five years, and no recorded cases of hantavirus ever. And if the samples were misplaced and left out in the open, they would likely cease being a danger to anyone very quickly,” the officials added.

They also added that the viruses become non-infectious once taken out of the freezer. They reiterated that there’s at present no risk to the community.

UP: Christian conversion racket busted in Amethi, three arrested for targeting Dalits with financial inducements to convert to Christianity

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Christian conversion racket busted in Amethi, three arrested for targeting Dalits with financial inducements to convert to Christianity

On Tuesday (10th December), Amethi Police exposed a Christian conversion racket in the Agresar village and arrested three people. The accused identified as Ramlal Kori, Sandeep Kori, and Omprakash organised a Bible reading session on Tuesday wherein they promised financial and other incentives to the people belonging to the Dalit Hindu community to lure them into converting to Christianity.

According to the FIR registered at the Ramganj Police Station based on a Hindu man named Govind’s complaint, Om Prakash, Ramlal Kori and Sandeep Kori used to visit the Agresar village and lure Hindu Dalits to convert to Christianity by offering them money and other benefits. The FIR was filed against them under the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. Following this, the police arrested the three accused and questioned them.

Meanwhile, Ramganj SHO Yajendra Patel said that the accused had been jailed and a thorough investigation is underway.

Notably, a similar case has been reported in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district, wherein a pastor and his associates organised a ‘prayer meeting’ called Masihi Prathana Sabha to lure over 50 Hindus to Christianity by promising monetary and other assistance. The accused in his case were organising similar events in various cities of the state with the same modus operandi.

Another digital arrest scam: Hyderabad family loses Rs 5.5 crore, kept under 24-hour digital surveillance for 17 days by fraudsters

OpIndia Staff
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Another digital arrest scam: Hyderabad family loses Rs 5.5 crore, kept under 24-hour digital surveillance for 17 days by fraudsters

An alarming instance of cyber fraud occurred in Hyderabad, where a 67-year-old woman and her two daughters were placed under ‘digital arrest’ for 17 days by scammers acting as national agency investigators. The fraudsters posed as government investigators. The daughters were only permitted to leave the house to take examinations. Furthermore, the scammers compelled the victims to send 5.5 crore. The family later discovered they had been deceived via digital arrest.

Employees of the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) filed a formal complaint and began an inquiry. The family’s troubles started on 13th November when a man masquerading as Rahul Kumar from the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) department called Bharati Bai Agarwal, a Basheerbagh resident. He then forwarded the call to two people, pretending to be CBI investigators, Saurav Sharma and Ajay Gupta before claiming that her Aadhaar-linked phone number was connected to drug and money laundering cases. The duo then told her to connect on Skype.

Bharati and her daughters were informed on Skype that they had been “digitally arrested” and were under surveillance via audio and video. The scammers used fictitious documents with the CBI (Central Bureau Of Investigation) and RBI (Reserve Bank of India) logos and forged footage of people in handcuffs to scare them into complying. The only ones allowed to leave the house for their exams were the daughters, who had to instantly reconnect on Skype upon return.

The family was forced to transfer money under the guise of confirming financial transactions after the scammers demanded their bank account information. When asked by bank officials about significant transactions, Bharati was told to give false justifications, including buying real estate or charity work. She made several transactions to transfer 5.5 crore. The woman learned she had been duped when she went to the Sultan Bazar CBI office on 8th December with the documentation the con artists provided her in an attempt to retrieve the money.

The scheme was shown to be a hoax after officials verified the documents were phony. Afterwards, the family complained to the TGCSB. A formal complaint was filed in accordance with Section 66D of the Information Technology Act of 2008, as well as various sections of BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) and banking laws. The case, which seems to be the product of a coordinated group impersonating national agency employees, is being investigated by TGCSB Inspector R Venkatesh. Police were working to find the money trail to catch the criminals.

Cybercriminals utilize a technique known as “digital arrest” to lock victims in their homes in order to swindle them. They instil fear among their targets while acting as law enforcement officers while using visual aids or artificial intelligence-generated voices by making audio or video calls. They try to gain the faith of users by using fake materials and documents and loot money from them.

UP: Meerut Police busts Christian conversion racket, Vineet Pastor and his family arrested, Hindu-turned-Christian accused was earning lakhs from the racket

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Meerut Police busts Christian conversion racket, Vineet Pastor and his family arrested, Hindu-turned-Christian accused was earning lakhs from the racket

In the Partapur area of Meerut district in Uttar Pradesh, the police uncovered a massive Christian conversion racket on 8th December. The police rescued nearly 50 Hindus from a ‘medical camp cum prayer meeting’ called Masihi Prathana Sabha in the Shankar Colony. In this case, Meerut Police has arrested the accused Vineet Pastor and his accomplices under the stringent Uttar Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act.

The police took action after activists of Hindu Raksha Dal and Bhartiya Kisan Manch reached the spot and found that the conversion of Hindus to Christianity was going on in the name of the camp. After that, a complaint was registered at the Kartapur Police Station by activist Sarvesh Upadhyay.

Subsequently, the police team arrived at the spot to verify the claims and found a makeshift church inside a rented house. Moreover, the police found around 50 Hindus carrying Bibles and partaking a Bible reading session headed by the accused pastor who himself is a convert from the Valmiki Hindu community. Vineet and his family are reported to have converted to Christianity nearly a decade ago and have been luring other Hindus to Christianity since then.

The police detained 15 people including Vinit, his wife Payal, cousins Pramod, Luv, Kunal, Satendra, Johnny Khekdi, Sheshnag, Anoin, Nitin, Sangeeta, Geeta and others. The FIR names Vineet Pastor as the main accused and states that he was organising such prayer meetings in various cities to lure Hindus into converting to Christianity by offering monetary benefits alongside miraculous cures for their diseases. According to locals, prayer meetings are held every Sunday at the house and are attended by a large number of people.

The accused pastor and his associates have been booked under Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act. The police noticed Christian symbols on the walls and banners reading “Christ Prayer House” and seized several documents indicating a systematic bid to convert Hindus to Christianity. Police also recovered registers and forms to be filled for conversion from the house.

The bank account records of the main accused Vineet Pastor are also being investigated. During interrogation, he has admitted to carrying out conversions.

As per reports, Vineet was a Dentist working at a hospital. Over a decade ago, he left the job and started a private clinic. But his practice was not doing well. During that time, he came into contact with a church through a friend. 10 years ago, he along with his wife converted to Christianity and got involved in a lucrative conversion racket. He started converting Hindus to Christianity, earning large amounts in exchange. He used his medical background to organise free medical camps and lure people into Christianity.

Vineet’s wife Payal, mother Geeta, brother Johnny and sister-in-law Sangeeta were his partners in the effort, along with other people. He was paid huge amounts by Christian organisations for his efforts and soon became a millionaire. Apart from the makeshift church, Vineet Pastor also organised ‘medical camps’ at various places.

Love Jihad: Mohammad Arif in Barabanki and Shahbaz in Damoh lure Hindu girls away; one girl recovered from Delhi, another still missing

OpIndia Staff
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Love Jihad: Mohammad Arif in Barabanki and Shahbaz in Damoh lure Hindu girls away; one girl recovered from Delhi, another still missing

Two separate cases of love jihad have come to light. The first case is from Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, where Shahbaz allegedly lured a Hindu minor girl and ran away with her to Delhi. Two more persons are reportedly involved in this case. The second case is from Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, where an 18-year-old Hindu girl’s father accused Mohammad Arif of abducting his daughter. Both the accused are absconding. Police in both states are conducting searches to locate them.

As per media reports, the incident in Madhya Pradesh took place in the rural police station area of Damoh district. Shahbaz trapped a minor Hindu girl in a love affair and promised her marriage. The two continued to communicate and meet. Around a month ago, Shahbaz allegedly coaxed the girl to accompany him to Delhi. Her family filed a missing person’s report with the police.

Later, the family discovered that Shahbaz was also missing from his home. They contacted Hindu organisations and sought their help. The Hindu organisations approached the police and demanded action on the matter. The police traced the girl’s location to Delhi. On 8th December, the minor girl was recovered from Delhi. However, Shahbaz managed to escape. During questioning, the girl revealed that two other individuals were also involved in taking her away. The search for all the suspects is underway.

Arif abducted a Hindu girl with a friend’s help

The second case occurred in Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh. According to media reports, a resident of the Asandra police station area filed a complaint alleging that his 18-year-old daughter used to attend computer classes in a nearby market. Mohammad Arif, a resident of Rampur village, began pursuing her at the coaching centre. He also attended the same centre and desired to befriend the girl. The parents of the victim accused another student at the institute of brainwashing their daughter.

After a few days of interaction, Arif allegedly lured the girl away on the evening of 6th December 2024. Despite extensive searches, the family was unable to locate her. The father of the girl filed a police complaint and accused Arif of abducting his daughter to force her to convert to Islam. An FIR has been registered in the case, and an investigation is underway. Arif is absconding, and efforts to apprehend him are ongoing.

Bangladesh finally admits to atrocities against Hindus, says 88 cases filed for violence against minorities, 70 arrested since fall of Hasina govt

OpIndia Staff
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Bangladesh finally admits to atrocities against Hindus, says 88 cases filed for violence against minorities, 70 arrested since fall of Hasina govt

Days after claiming that the incidents of attacks against the Hindus in Bangladesh were ‘misleading’, the interim government in Bangladesh has acknowledged that around 88 incidents of atrocities against minorities, primarily Hindus, have taken place after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in August this year.

Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary of Muhammad Yunus who is the head of the interim government confirmed the incidents and claimed that around 70 individuals directly involved in such had been arrested.

“A total of 88 cases have been filed in incidents related to minorities from August 5 to October 2. The number of cases and arrests is likely to increase as new incidents of violence have also been reported in (northeastern Sunamganj, (central) Gazipur, and other areas,” Alam told the reporters. He also added that in some of the cases, the victim might be belonging to the previous ruling party, the Awami League.

This comes a day after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, during his Bangladesh visit, held several high-profile engagements highlighting India’s support for Dhaka, while also raising New Delhi’s concerns over attacks against religious minorities and their places of worship. He highlighted the regrettable incidents of attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh and sought protection of minorities in the country.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Mohammad Jashim Uddin reaffirmed that the safety and security of the minorities in Bangladesh, regardless of their faith, religion, or ethnicity, was the interim government’s “priority.”

It is crucial to note that the interim government, a week ago, had claimed that the minority Hindu community was more protected in Bangladesh under the rule of the interim government than they were during the administration of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Alam then also claimed that Indian media was running an “industrial scale misinformation campaign” to spread false narratives about minorities being targeted in Bangladesh.

“Hindus are well protected here. They are more protected than they were during Sheikh Hasina’s regime. What we are witnessing here is an industrial scale misinformation campaign originating from India,” Alam was quoted as saying.

Days after this statement, the interim government again blamed India for highlighting the violence and mass killings, in a desperate attempt to deflect attention. Bangladesh’s regime, on 4th December, claimed that India’s “governing elite” was trying to turn the situation beyond the border into an “internal political issue” between the two nations. It subtly implied that the massacre of Hindus at the hands of the jihadis was not something that India, or anyone else, should be concerned about, suggesting it was not a matter of importance.

Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in August this year, the minority community in Bangladesh has been targeted and several temples have been destroyed in the area in a major crackdown on Hindus. OpIndia has recorded several such incidents, the details of which can be read here. Further, the arrest of three Hindu priests has sparked a major controversy with Hindus protesting across Bangladesh and India seeking justice for the community which is under evident attack.

India has been denying visas to Khalistanis from Canada unless they denounce their support for terrorism: Here is what Canadian media found and how Khalistanis are crying about it

OpIndia Staff
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India has been denying visas to Khalistanis from Canada unless they denounce their support for terrorism: Here is what Canadian media found and how Khalistanis are crying about it

On 10th December, Canadian media revealed that India denied visas to pro-Khalistani Canadian citizens unless they explicitly denounce their support for terrorism. According to a Global News report, unless these pro-Khalistani Canadians pledge allegiance to India’s sovereignty, the chances of them getting a visa to visit India remain non-existent.

Several “prominent” Sikh Canadians were reportedly asked by Global News about their experiences when they applied for an Indian visa. They told the media house that the Indian consulate sent them a declaration to sign, renouncing Khalistan and affirming their respect for India as a condition for obtaining a visa.

Pro-Khalistani elements have cried foul over the condition laid down by the Indian government. They claimed that such practices by India amount to “foreign interference”. They argued that the visa policy India has formulated to ensure Khalistanis don’t enter the country pressures individuals into aligning with the “political agenda” of the Indian government. Most of these Khalistanis claimed that they need to visit their families in India, attend religious gatherings, and handle businesses. However, the visa conditions have barred them from visiting their “birth country”.

The ‘Khalistan letter’

According to a Global News report, in 2016, pro-Khalistani Canadian and former president of Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia, Bikramjit Singh Sandhar, applied for a visa for India. The application was denied on the grounds of statements he made about Khalistan while serving as the president of the Gurdwara. Later, a letter was sent to him to sign, where he was supposed to renounce Khalistan and express “deep respect” for India. Sandhar told Global News that he refused to sign the letter and never got the visa.

Notably, Guru Nanak Gurdwara in Surrey is the same one where Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was serving as its chief before his murder in June 2023. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused India of killing Nijjar, an accusation India has categorically denied. The allegations and consistent support to Khalistanis by Canadian government led to strained diplomatic India-Canada relations.

Similar letters were reportedly sent to other pro-Khalistani Canadian Sikhs. In several cases, individuals who refused to sign the letter did not get visas to visit India, while those who signed the letter were granted entry, as per Global News.

India’s stand against Khalistani activities

Notably, India has consistently expressed concerns over the rising influence of Khalistani elements in Canada. The Khalistan movement’s activities in Canada have been a major concern that India has raised during diplomatic meetings, accusing authorities in Canada of failing to curb the rhetoric.

It appears that as Canadian authorities have failed to control pro-Khalistani elements on their soil, India has decided not to allow any pro-Khalistani to get a visa to visit India. This can be seen as a broader effort to undermine the Khalistan narrative that these elements have been trying to set abroad.

For example, the US-based Khalistani terrorist organisation Sikhs for Justice has been running a so-called referendum campaign in favour of Khalistan, a separate Sikh nation. If the Global News report is to be believed, anyone supporting the referendum has to sign the letter before getting a visa for India. Notably, many Canadian Sikh families have extended families, land, and businesses in India. They often visit the country to attend weddings and other religious events. However, with the restrictions in place, any Khalistani Sikh who has a history of working against India’s sovereignty will not be granted entry.

Khalistanis cry foul, but the truth emerges

Pro-Khalistani Sikhs who were denied entry have claimed that such actions by the Indian government are an attack on their freedom of speech. These elements, who regularly berate India, have cried foul over these visa restrictions. However, it is important to point out the irony of their indignation. These individuals often malign India, but when denied entry to the country, they claim victimhood.

India’s strategy appears to be straightforward: if you advocate for the fragmentation of the nation, you will not get a visa unless you explicitly disown the separatist stance. The policy is a perfect example of a tightrope walk between diplomacy and national security, as it exposes the complex dynamics that are at play when it comes to issues like the Khalistan movement on the sidelines of India-Canada relations.

As Khalistani supporters face the ramifications of India’s stance, the debate over national sovereignty versus diasporic activism is likely to continue. Amidst all this, visa denials are serving as a potent reminder that India has a zero-tolerance approach to separatism.

Bengaluru techie suicide case: Karnataka Police file FIR against wife, her mother, brother and uncle for abetment and criminal liability

ANI
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Bengaluru techie suicide case: Karnataka Police file FIR against wife, her mother, brother and uncle for abetment and criminal liability

An FIR has been filed against 4 people in connection with the suicide of a 34-year-old deputy general manager of a private firm, Atul Subhash, who died by suicide, accusing his wife, her family members, and a judge of harassment, extortion, and corruption.

The FIR based on a complaint by Atul’s brother Bikas Kumar was lodged at the Marathahalli police station in Bengaluru. The FIR has been filed under section 108 (abetment of suicide) and section 3 (5) (establishes joint criminal liability when two or more people act with a common intention) of the BNS. The FIR is filed against the techie’s wife Nikita Singhania, his mother-in-law Nisha Singhania, wife’s brother Anurag Singhania and his wife’s uncle Sushil Singhania.

As per the complaint filed by the brother of Atul, the FIR mentions that Atul Subhash married Nikita Singhania in 2019 and had a child together. The complaint alleges that the four accused filed a false case against Atul Subhash after their divorce and insisted on paying Rs 3 crore for the settlement of the case.

The complaint also alleges that Atul Subhash’s wife had demanded Rs 30 lakh to allow him to visit his son who is now four years old. The complaint alleges that Atul had died by suicide as he was harrased mentally and physically. Based on the complaint, the case has been registered and an investigation is underway.

Speaking to ANI, the victim’s brother Bikas Kumar said, “Around 8 months after my brother’s wife separated from him, she filed a divorce case and framed many charges against my brother and our entire family under different acts and sections. Every law in India is for women, and not for men – my brother fought for this but he left us.”

Bikas Kumar said, that even in his suicide notes, Atul Subhash wrote—‘ If I win from the system, devote my mortal remains in Ganga otherwise in a gutter outside the court.”

“My brother did everything for her. Whatever has happened was unfortunate. If he had ever discussed it with me or our father – we would have helped him get out of this situation… I want to request the govt of India and the President – that justice must be done to my brother if he is with truth otherwise give me the proof to show that he is wrong. There should be a proper investigation against the judge who is named in my brother’s suicide,” said Bikas Kumar.

The deceased’s friend, Jackson also spoke to ANI and said, “There were like nine cases put by his wife and because of that he was going through tremendous stress. But in this particular video and notes that he has made, it doesn’t seem that he was depressed. It seems that he did it out of a sense of harassment that he was facing from the system.”

“So it was more like his way of telling the system that it is not helping men and there is a lot of bias. During COVID times he was taking care of his wife and a kid. His wife was also infected with COVID and she had a lot of issues. So he went ahead to procure medicines for her and she wasn’t taking them on time which created some friction that escalated into multiple issues and then she left him along with the baby and he could not see his son. One particular point that I got to know recently from him was that he got a maintenance order for his son who is barely four or five years old, 40,000 rupees per month,” said Jackson.

According to a statement released by the police, the victim was a resident of Uttar Pradesh who was living in Bengaluru. The police stated that the Hoysala Police Control Room received a call at 6:00 am on Monday about the suicide in a flat at Bengaluru’s Manjunatha Layout in the Delfinium Residency.

The statement further stated that when the police went to search the place, the flat was locked from inside, and the lock was broken, following which they went inside and saw Atul hanging from a ceiling fan by the support of a nylon rope. The police stated that he was found dead upon arrival.

The police informed the incident to the brother of the deceased, Bikas Kumar, who later filed a complaint against Subhash’s wife, his mother-in-law, his brother-in-law, and his wife’s uncle, accusing them of filing a false complaint against Subhash and demanding Rs 3 crore money for the settlement, which led to his mental and physical harassment, following which he had to take the step.

In his suicide note, Subhash called for justice, stating, “Justice is Due” on every single page of the 24-page note. Along with his wife and her family members, Subhash also accused a family court judge in Uttar Pradesh’s Jaunpur for not hearing him out, and an officer in the court, accusing him of taking bribes in front of the judge.

Subhash further described the instances that instigated him to take such a step. Subhash recorded a video describing his alleged harassment and asking his family members not to immerse his ashes till justice is served to him. His suicide note also had a message for his four-year-old son who he claimed had been kept estranged from him. The note also called for his parents to be given custody of his child.

The note and the link to the Video were sent to the WhatsApp group of an NGO, to which he was connected. Subhash alleged in his suicide note that his wife had filed nine cases against him, including murder, sexual misconduct, harassment for money, domestic violence, and dowry.


(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

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