In a significant update to the ongoing custody dispute following the suicide of Bengaluru-based AI professional Atul Subhash, the Supreme Court was informed on Tuesday about the location of his four-year-old son. The child’s whereabouts had been the subject of intense speculation, and his mother, Nikita Singhania, revealed that he is currently residing at a boarding school in Faridabad, Haryana.
This disclosure comes weeks after the tragic suicide of Atul, who took his own life on December 9, leaving behind a 24-page note accusing his wife and her family of harassment, including demands for a ₹3 crore sum for a divorce agreement. In the note, Atul also claimed that a family court judge had sought a bribe to resolve a maintenance case filed by Nikita.
The Supreme Court is hearing a petition filed by Atul’s mother, seeking custody of her grandson. During the hearing, the bench emphasized that Nikita remains the child’s primary caregiver, as she is his surviving parent. The court indicated that while the grandmother’s intentions were understood, she was not the “natural guardian,” and suggested that she could visit the child, but discouraged further allegations against Nikita until proven in court.
Nikita, who was granted bail last week, assured the court that her son would soon be moved to Bengaluru to live with her. Her legal team reaffirmed her commitment to the child’s welfare and stated that any judgments regarding her actions should be reserved until the case is fully adjudicated.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka High Court recently declined to quash a criminal complaint against Nikita, which accuses her of abetting Atul’s suicide. The court ruled that there was enough evidence to proceed with further investigation.
As the legal battle continues, the case has sparked discussions on family disputes, mental health, and the complexities of custody battles.
