Techie Atul Subhash's Father Threatens Mass Suicide Over Grandson's Custody: 'Whole Family Will...'

Atul Subhash Case: Father Pawan Modi has filed a complaint seeking custody of his grandson. He threatened the family's mass suicide if their grandson was not given back to them.

The suicide of Atul Subhash in Bengaluru has taken a grim turn, with his father, Pawan Modi, threatening mass suicide if custody of his 2-year-old grandson is not granted to the family. Subhash, an employee at an automobile company, ended his life on 9 December, leaving behind a 90-minute video and a 40-page note alleging harassment by his wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family.  

Pawan Modi lodged a complaint at the Vaini police station in Bihar’s Samastipur district, seeking the recovery and custody of his grandson. A zero FIR was registered and transferred to Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, where the case falls under jurisdiction, news agency IANS reported.  

Anand Shankar Gaurav, the in-charge of Vaini police station, confirmed the transfer, stating, "The Jaunpur police will handle the case as it falls under their jurisdiction."  

Pawan Modi has expressed deep concern over the safety of his grandson. "I have seen my grandson once via a video call. I am concerned about the child’s safety," he said, alleging that the child might be in harm’s way.  

"Since Atul’s wife, mother-in-law, and brother-in-law have been arrested, the whereabouts of the child remain unknown," he added, questioning why the child’s location has not been disclosed. Modi further stressed that a child of this age would not typically be kept in a boarding school.  

According to IANS, Modi declared, "My whole family will commit mass suicide if we do not get our grandson back."  

Atul’s younger brother, Vikas Modi, echoed the family’s anguish and called for stricter laws to prevent the misuse of legal provisions, particularly those related to dowry harassment. "I appealed to the Prime Minister to introduce stricter laws against the misuse of legal provisions to prevent tragedies like Atul Subhash," he said.

Atul Subhash Suicide Case

Atul’s suicide note, titled "Justice is Due," addressed to his 2-year-old child, revealed his despair and called for justice. "Now with me gone, there will not be any money to loot, and I hope that they might start to look at the facts of the cases," he wrote.  

In the note, he urged that custody of his child be granted to his parents. "Give the custody of my child to my parents who can raise him with better values. Don’t let my wife or her family come near my dead body," the note stated.  

Atul expressed frustration with the legal system, writing, "All my case hearings should happen live, and people of this country should know about my case and learn the terrible state of the legal system and misuse of law these women are doing."  

The note also detailed allegations of harassment, including a demand for Rs 3 crore as part of a divorce settlement. Atul’s death has spotlighted the challenges faced by families embroiled in legal battles over dowry and domestic disputes.  

The case has drawn the attention of the Supreme Court, which issued notices to the Directors General of Police (DGPs) of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Karnataka, instructing them to recover the missing child and submit a report by 7 January.