#MenToo: Bengaluru techie's suicide sparks debate on dowry law misuse
The tragic case of Atul Subhash’s suicide, 34, has sparked a nation-wide discussion on men's rights and mental health under the trending hashtag #MenToo.
Subhash, a Bengaluru-based engineer, died by suicide citing alleged harassment by his estranged wife has opened up a debate on misuse of dowry laws.
He left behind a detailed video and a 24-page note accusing his wife and her family of harassment, alleging systemic bias in the legal process.
Subhash's body was found hanging at his residence in the Manjunath Layout area, which falls under the Marathahalli police station limits, they added. A placard reading "Justice is due" was found in the room where he ended his life.
Before taking the drastic step, he recorded an over 80-minute video on Rumble, explaining the circumstances under which he had decided to die by suicide.
Suicide case of Atul Subhash, a techie in Bengaluru, must be investigated.
He mentioned in his note:
1. His wife demanded Rs. 2 lakh per month as maintenance despite working in a multinational company.
2. A judge demanded Rs. 5 lakh to settle the case.
3. Court ordered him to… pic.twitter.com/no4fCEIri3
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) December 10, 2024
His father has accused the "mediation court" of not functioning according to the law, recalling his son's experiences when he was repeatedly called to the court in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur over cases filed by his wife.
Pawan Kumar said Atul had travelled to Jaunpur from Bengaluru at least 40 times due to court cases filed by his wife, adding that she used to frame one charge after another.
Mumbai-based lawyer Abha Singh described the case as a 'gross misuse of law,' stating that false charges and harassment led to the death of the victim, suffering from harassment from his wife and in-laws.
"Dowry laws, being made to protect women should not be misused because if some women are going to misuse these laws, then it will directly deny justice to women who need them," said the lawyer.
Delhi-based men's rights activist Barkha Trehan said that Atul Subhash had been failed by the system, ultimately leading him to dying by suicide.
"Atul Subhash is not the first man, lakhs of such men have died. 34-year-old Atul Subhash was compelled, the system failed him. There is a lot of biasedness in the system, only women are heard and not men. Men are tortured and threatened. All this, also from educated women. There is nobody to listen to their plights," said Trehan.
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.
With ANI inputs
