"... family members of his wife demanded money for settling issues and harassed Atul Subhash" , says Bengaluru police

"Men aren’t enjoying freedom in independent India!," went a Twitter/X message. 

Bengaluru Atul Subhash death case: "... The family members of his wife demanded money for settling the issues and harassed him (Atul Subhash). For this reason, he has committed suicide. He has given a statement. Based on that, we have registered abetment for suicide case" says Whitefield DCP Shivakumar in Bengaluru.

Atul Subhash, who worked for a private firm in Bengaluru, died by suicide and left behind a 24-page death note, giving extensive details of what he alleged was years long of emotional distress of marital issues.

He said multiple cases have been filed against him and there was harassment by his wife, her relatives, and allegedly also a judge based in Uttar Pradesh. 

There has been widespread reactions on the incident in social media. 

"This part of our legal system needs a complete overhaul. So many innocent men and their families are being tortured. Imagine what #AtulSubhash must be going through during his last moments," tweeted Pravav Mahajan. 

Another message on X said: "If his sacrifice does not bring men to the streets demanding a National Commission for Men, nothing ever will." 

Some even demanded exemplary actions against the wife.  

Advocate Vikas Pahwa says, "It's a very serious matter and being a criminal lawyer I have seen how 498A has been misused by the legal fraternity, the police machinery, the disgruntled ladies, those who have filed all these cases. 

"I have seen it from my own eyes in the last three decades. But this incident has triggered the controversy and has brought the issue before everybody in the country. I think this issue now should be taken very seriously because 498A misuse should be curbed". 

"After all, it has an impact on the social fabric of our society. There are false allegations which are not only filed against the husband but also against the father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, of the family. They are also implicated in these kinds of cases and most of them are false. 

I'm not saying genuine cases are not there. There are genuine cases which should be looked into, but the majority of them, which we see are filed to persuade the husband to settle the matter for some money...So this shows how this law is being misused. I think serious action should be taken...".