The heartbreaking death of 34-year-old software engineer Atul Subhash, who was residing in Bengaluru, has sparked widespread discussion about the emotional and systemic challenges faced by individuals caught in complex marital and legal disputes. Subhash’s decision to end his life was accompanied by a detailed 24-page suicide note and a 1.5-hour-long video, in which he accused his estranged wife and her family of harassment, citing a string of false legal cases filed against him. His younger brother, Bikas Modi, has since spoken out about the immense stress and despair Subhash endured, describing the toll these legal battles took on his life and well-being.
Modi revealed that the family had no prior warning of Subhash’s mental state. Early Monday morning, he received an unexpected call from an unknown number asking if he had spoken to his brother recently and whether Subhash had expressed suicidal thoughts. Initially dismissing the call as a prank, Modi checked his WhatsApp and found alarming messages and four emails from his brother, sent an hour earlier. The messages included instructions on whom to contact, but Modi suspected his brother’s account had been hacked.
Concerned, Modi contacted the caller, who was from the Save Indian Family Foundation, a men’s rights advocacy group. They informed Modi about Subhash’s distress and alerted the police. However, when authorities arrived at Subhash’s residence, they hesitated to break down the door, assuming he was not home since his vehicle was missing from the parking lot. Tragically, their delay only confirmed the worst fears. When Modi arrived in Bengaluru later that day, he found his brother had died by suicide. “I visited the house and saw his body hanging. I couldn’t believe my brother, who had always been so strong in front of me, had done this,” he shared.
The 24-page suicide note Subhash left behind bore the haunting words “Justice is Due” on every page. It detailed his ordeal, including allegations of corruption and constant harassment from his wife’s family, as well as unmanageable demands, such as Rs 40,000 monthly maintenance for their 4-year-old child. Modi explained that his brother had been battling nine to ten legal cases, all of which he claimed were baseless and had been pressured with demands for Rs 3 crore to settle disputes. “For people working in Bengaluru, it’s not possible to always commute to Uttar Pradesh for a case. But he was being harassed constantly,” Modi said.
The tragedy has also reignited debates about the fairness and application of marital laws in India, with Modi criticizing the system as skewed against men. “He gave his life while fighting against the system,” he lamented, adding that many men find themselves in similarly desperate situations, unable to cope with the emotional and financial burden of prolonged legal battles. Modi emphasized the need for reform, arguing that laws meant to protect individuals from abuse are often misused, particularly in cases involving divorce and maintenance.
Subhash’s final wish, expressed in his note, was deeply poignant: “If I don’t get justice, my ashes should be scattered in the canal in front of the court.” This statement reflects the depth of his despair and his ultimate plea for justice. His family now seeks not only closure but also a broader acknowledgment of the systemic issues that contributed to his death.
This case has brought to light the urgent need for a more balanced legal framework that ensures justice for all parties while preventing misuse of the system. Subhash’s family and advocacy groups are calling for reforms to address the vulnerabilities faced by individuals like him, emphasizing the importance of mental health support, equitable legal processes, and greater awareness about the impact of legal harassment. The tragic circumstances of his death serve as a sobering reminder of the human cost of systemic flaws and the need for compassion and fairness in addressing marital and family disputes.
