In a significant legal move, the mother of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash has approached the Supreme Court with a habeas corpus petition, seeking custody of her four-year-old grandson. Anju Modi, the petitioner, alleged that neither Atul’s estranged wife Nikita Singhania nor her family has disclosed the child’s whereabouts since their arrest. Responding to the plea, the apex court has issued notices to the state administrations of Haryana, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh, demanding their replies before the next hearing scheduled for January 7, 2025.
Anju Modi expressed grave concerns about her grandson’s safety and well-being, emphasizing the lack of communication from Nikita’s side after her detention. Modi’s move follows the arrest of Nikita and her mother, days after Atul’s tragic suicide on December 9.
The 34-year-old software professional left behind a detailed 24-page note and an emotional 80-minute video accusing his wife and in-laws of harassment and extortion through false legal claims. These accusations, his family stated, pushed him to take his life.
Determined to keep Atul’s memory alive, the family has decided to raise the child and has refused to perform his last rites until they secure justice. The case has drawn widespread attention, underlining the legal complexities surrounding family disputes and child custody.