December 20, 2024: The mother of Atul Subhash, a Bengaluru engineer who tragically died by suicide on December 9, has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court, seeking the custody of her four-year-old grandson. Subhash’s mother, Anju Modi, has expressed deep concern over the whereabouts of the child, whose location remains unknown despite ongoing investigations.

Subhash, who left behind a video and written notes detailing alleged harassment and false accusations from his wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family, appears to have been under immense personal distress before his death. His notes suggested that he had been subjected to severe emotional and legal pressures by his wife and in-laws.

In her petition, Anju Modi contends that neither Nikita nor her family members, who are currently in custody, have disclosed the child’s whereabouts. Nikita reportedly informed the police that her son was enrolled in a boarding school in Faridabad and was in the care of her uncle, Sushil Singhania. However, Sushil has denied any knowledge of the child’s location, further intensifying the mystery.

A bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice N Kotiswar Singh has responded by issuing notices to the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Karnataka, asking for clarity on the situation. The next hearing is set for January 7, 2025.

The case has sparked significant legal action, with multiple arrests related to Subhash’s suicide. On December 16, Nikita Singhania, along with her mother Nisha Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania, was arrested by Karnataka Police for abetment of suicide, based on evidence from Subhash’s suicide note and video. The trio is currently in judicial custody.

Anju Modi’s petition claims that the Singhania family has obstructed efforts to locate the child, adding that both she and Subhash’s father, Pawan Kumar, have been unable to ascertain his whereabouts. Pawan Kumar, who has publicly demanded custody of the child, echoed the family’s concern over the safety of the young boy.

In a parallel legal development, Sushil Singhania sought anticipatory bail in the Allahabad High Court. Senior counsel Manish Tiwary, representing Sushil, argued that the charges of abetment were overstated, pointing to Sushil’s advanced age and health conditions as mitigating factors. Justice Ashutosh Srivastava granted Sushil pre-arrest bail, with stringent conditions that include a personal bond of ₹50,000, mandatory police availability, and the surrender of his passport.

Subhash’s family continues to demand justice, with his brother Bikas Kumar asserting, “We will not immerse Subhash’s ashes until justice is served. Our fight will continue.” The family also remains vocal about their concerns regarding the child’s safety, urging authorities to take swift action.