Supreme Court Denies Custody of Bengaluru Techie

The court ruled that the grandmother is a 'stranger' to the child while allowing the mother, accused in an abetment to suicide case, to retain custody under bail conditions.

Atul Subhash, a Bengaluru techie, died by suicide in December 2024, alleging harassment and extortion by his estranged wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family.
The Supreme Court denied Anju Devi, Atul's mother, custody of her four-year-old grandson, stating that the child is unfamiliar with her and emphasizing the mother's legal custody rights.
Nikita Singhania, currently out on bail in an abetment to suicide case, informed the court that the child was previously in a Faridabad boarding school and will now reside with her in Bengaluru as per her bail conditions.
The court directed that the child be produced in court for the next hearing on January 20 and advised Anju Devi to pursue guardianship claims through proper legal channels.
Atul Subhash's death and detailed suicide note have reignited debates about the misuse of laws designed to protect women and the challenges men face in domestic disputes.