Supreme Court Orders Haryana Government To File Affidavit In Habeas Corpus Petition

The Supreme Court has directed the Haryana government to file an affidavit in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by the mother of Atul Subhash, a Bengaluru-based AI engineer. The petition concerns the whereabouts of Atul’s four-year-old son, Vyom, and will be heard again on January 20.

During the hearing, the bench, consisting of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice N Kotiswar Singh, sought clarification on the location of the child. The lawyer representing Nikita Singhania, Atul’s estranged wife, stated that the child is currently residing in a boarding school. The court inquired whether Nikita had been granted bail, and her lawyer confirmed that the court had granted her bail on Saturday under certain conditions.

The lawyer for the petitioner, Atul’s mother Anju Modi, argued that Vyom had been in the boarding school for the past year, emphasizing that the child’s safety was at risk. Atul’s mother has sought custody of her grandson, asserting that the Singhania family had not disclosed the child’s whereabouts.

Controversy Surrounding Child’s Custody And Boarding School Enrollment

The court learned that Nikita Singhania currently has custody of the child and is taking Vyom to Bangalore. As part of her bail conditions, Nikita must appear before the investigating officer every Saturday. However, Atul Subhash’s mother and father, Pawan Kumar Modi, expressed their displeasure over the decision to place Vyom in a boarding school at such a young age. Pawan Modi accused Nikita of using their son as an “ATM” to extort money from her in-laws.

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Anju Modi’s petition called for Vyom to live with his grandparents, citing concerns about the child’s safety and the Singhania family’s obstruction in locating him. The petition also request that all dowry harassment cases hear in the same court, with provisions for video conferencing if one party is locate elsewhere. It also called for an investigation before filing an FIR in dowry harassment and sexual violence cases.

Karnataka High Court Denies Bail Petition

Meanwhile, Nikita Singhania received a setback in the Karnataka High Court, which rejected her petition to cancel the FIR filed against her. The court ruled that there was sufficient evidence in the FIR to support the charges of abetment to suicide. The judge questioned why Nikita did not want the investigation to proceed, considering that the initial allegations in the complaint pointed to potential criminal activity.

Atul Subhash’s Tragic Death And Accusations Of Harassment

Atul Subhash tragically died by suicide on December 9. In an 80-minute video and a 24-page suicide note, Atul accused his wife and her family of harassment. Atul alleged that the stress caused by his wife and her family led him to take his own life. Following his death, an abetment to suicide case file against Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha, brother Anurag, and uncle Sushil.

The case continues to develop as both legal and custody battles unfold, with Atul Subhash’s family demanding justice and seeking custody of Vyom. The next hearing is schedule for January 20, as the Supreme Court reviews the situation.