- Saturday, December 14, 2024
The public interest litigation wants the Supreme Court to set up a committee to review and reform the existing dowry and domestic violence laws
By: Shajil Kumar
IN THE aftermath of the 34-year-old techie’s suicide in Bengaluru, a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Supreme Court has sought the appointment of an expert committee to review and reform the existing dowry and domestic violence laws to stop their misuse.
The PIL filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari sought the setting up of a committee comprising former Supreme Court judges, lawyers and legal jurists to examine the existing dowry and domestic violence laws.
The plea further sought a direction to record during the marriage registrations, the articles or gifts given.
It further sought the implementation of the apex court’s observations in a 2010 case wherein it flagged the abuse of Section 498A of the IPC.
Referring to the recent suicide case, the plea said a time had come to review and reform the existing dowry laws and domestic violence act to stop its misuse and abuse.
The plea therefore said lives of innocent men could be saved and the real purpose of the dowry laws won’t be defeated.
Atul Subhash died by suicide at his home in Marathahalli, in Bengaluru on December 9.
Subhash, who worked for a private firm in the city, left behind a 24-page purported death note, detailing what he alleged was years-long emotional distress of marital issues; multiple cases filed against him and harassment by his wife and relatives, and a judge based in UP, the police said.
Following his death, a case of abetment of suicide was registered against his wife Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha, father Anurag and uncle Sushil, a police official said.
Summons to Nikita
Meanwhile, as part of its probe into Atul Subhash suicide, the Bengaluru City Police on Friday issued a summons to his wife Nikita and asked her to appear before it within three days.
A four-member Bengaluru City Police team led by sub-inspector Sanjeet Kumar arrived at Singhania’s residence in the Khowa Mandi area in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh around 11 am and pasted the notice for her summons.
According to Circle Officer (City) Ayush Srivastava, the Bengaluru City Police notice said, “Nikita Singhania to appear before the investigating officer at Marathahalli police station, Bengaluru, within three days for interrogation regarding the circumstances surrounding the death of her husband, Atul Subhash.”
The notice, addressed solely to Singhania, did not mention other accused family members, including her mother Nisha Singhania, uncle Sushil Singhania and brother Anurag Singhania despite their names being in the FIR.
At the time the notice was pasted, the main door of the house was locked and no family members were present.
The Bengaluru City Police team arrived in Jaunpur late on Thursday.
After meeting Superintendent of Police Ajay Pal Sharma, the team proceeded to the city police station for further action.
The team planned to visit the civil court in Jaunpur to gather information about cases previously filed by Singhania, Srivastava said. (PTI)
