In the aftermath of the 34-year-old techie's suicide in Bengaluru, a PIL in the Supreme Court has sought the appointment of an expert committee to review and reform the existing dowry and domestic violence laws to stop their misuse.
The PIL filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari sought the setting up of a committee comprising former Supreme Court judges, lawyers and legal jurists to examine the existing dowry and domestic violence laws.
The plea further sought a direction to record during the marriage registrations, the articles or gifts given.
It further sought the implementation of the apex court's observations in a 2010 case wherein it flagged the abuse of Section 498A of the IPC.
Referring to the recent suicide case, the plea said a time had come to review and reform the existing dowry laws and domestic violence act to stop its misuse and abuse. The plea therefore said lives of innocent men could be saved and the real purpose of the dowry laws won't be defeated.
Meanwhile, Bengaluru Police on Friday began their investigation in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, where the family of his wife, Nikita Singhania, lives.
As part of its probe, the Bengaluru City Police on has issued a summons to his wife Nikita Singhania and asked her to appear before it within three days.
The 34-year-old techie ended his life on Monday in Bengaluru, alleging harassment at the hands of his estranged wife and her family.
A four-member Bengaluru City Police team led by sub-inspector Sanjeet Kumar arrived at Singhania's residence in the Khowa Mandi area in this Uttar Pradesh district around 11 am and pasted the notice for her summons.
According to Circle Officer (City) Ayush Srivastava, the Bengaluru City Police notice said, "Nikita Singhania to appear before the investigating officer at Marathahalli police station, Bengaluru, within three days for interrogation regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of her husband, Atul Subhash." The notice, addressed solely to Singhania, did not mention other accused family members, including her mother Nisha Singhania, uncle Sushil Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania despite their names being in the FIR.
At the time the notice was pasted, the main door of the house was locked and no family members were present.
After meeting Superintendent of Police Ajay Pal Sharma, the team proceeded to the city police station for further action.
On December 12, a group of information technology employees held a candlelight protest outside Accenture's Bengaluru office in Bellandur's Ecospace Business Park, expressing solidarity with techie Atul Subhash who died by suicide, alleging harassments by estranged wife, who works for the IT company, and her family.
Around 100 people, reportedly, joined the protest.
On December 11, the family of Nikita Singhania, including her mother Nisha and brother Anurag were caught on camera leaving their house on a bike. However, they have still not returned to their home.
Atul Subhash died by suicide at his home in Marathahalli on December 9.
Subhash, who worked for a private firm in the city, left behind a 24-page purported death note, detailing what he alleged was years-long emotional distress of marital issues; multiple cases filed against him and harassment by his wife and relatives, and a judge based in UP, the police said.
Following his death, a case of abetment of suicide was registered against his wife Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha, father Anurag and uncle Sushil, a police official said.
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