A Bengaluru court adjourned the hearing in the Atul Subhash case to November 2026 because the presiding officer was on leave. The delay has triggered anger online, symbolising the slow crawl of justice in India’s overburdened legal system.
KARNATAKA: The presiding officer/judge was on leave on the day of hearing — and the case of State by Marathahalli PS versus Nikita Singhania has now been adjourned to 20 November 2026. Yes, that’s right — after a gap of a full year.
According to the daily status report from the court of the Addl. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Mayo Hall, Bengaluru, the entry clearly states:
“P.O. is on leave. Hence, case is adjourned to 20-11-2026.”
The case involves the custody dispute linked to late Atul Subhash, a Bengaluru techie whose death in December 2024 shook the nation. He had left behind a 24-page suicide note and an 81-minute video in which he accused his wife and in-laws of harassment, emotional abuse, and financial extortion.
His now-viral words continue to haunt social media:
“If justice denied, throw my ashes in gutter.”
That line has become the rallying cry for thousands demanding reform in India’s painfully slow judicial process.
Status of Cases Pending Against Atul Subhash and Family
First Case: In the court of ACM Jaunpur, case 115/2022 was filed by Nikita Singhania against Atul Subhash and his family under the Dowry Prohibition Act, alleging harassment for dowry and physical assault.
Second Case: A case under the Domestic Violence Act, previously dismissed, was re-filed in the court of Additional Civil Judge (First Class), Jaunpur, and is listed for hearing on 24 January 2025.
Third Case: In a Maintenance Act case before the CJM Jaunpur, the court granted ₹40,000 per month for their son Vyom’s upkeep on 29 July 2024. A recovery petition filed by Vyom for pending maintenance is listed for 16 December 2025.
Petitions in Allahabad High Court
Atul Subhash also filed a petition challenging the jurisdiction of the Jaunpur court, arguing that any alleged incident of dowry demand or assault occurred in Bengaluru, not Jaunpur.
Meanwhile, Nikita Singhania filed petitions seeking her own maintenance (stating she has no income) and for speedy disposal of the case. The Allahabad High Court ordered that the matter be decided within six months.
Thus, three cases remain active in Jaunpur District Court, while parallel proceedings continue before the Allahabad High Court.
Delay Adds to Family’s Pain
It has been almost a year since Atul Subhash’s death, yet his family is still waiting for closure. Bengaluru police registered an FIR on his allegations, but no arrests have been made so far. Officers even travelled to Jaunpur searching for Nikita Singhania, but she could not be found; a notice has been affixed at her residence.
The fresh adjournment to November 2026 has reignited public anger. Many online users see this as proof of systemic failure, where even sensitive cases of alleged harassment and abetment to suicide can be endlessly delayed.
As one viral post summed it up:
“As expected from the Indian judiciary, the presiding officer or judge is on leave today and the case has been adjourned to 20 November 2026. Yes, you read that right — after one whole year.”
The sentiment across social media remains one of disbelief and despair — that even after a tragedy so grave, justice still seems out of reach.
Table of Laws & Sections Referenced
| Law / Act | Section(s) | Brief Description | Relevance in This Case |
| Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) | Section 498A | Cruelty by husband or relatives towards a married woman, including harassment for dowry | Allegations by wife’s side and counter-allegations relate to misuse or invocation of this section |
| Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) | Section 306 | Abetment of suicide | FIR registered for alleged abetment to suicide of Atul Subhash |
| Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 | Sections 3 & 5 | Punishment for giving or taking dowry and related offences | Case filed under dowry harassment and demand allegations in Jaunpur |
| Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) | Section for maintenance | Provision for awarding maintenance to spouse or child | Court awarded ₹ 40,000 per month for upkeep of son Vyom |
| Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 | Entire Act applicable | Protection of women from physical, emotional, verbal, and economic abuse | Case was re-filed under this Act in Jaunpur |
| Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) | Sections 3(5) and 108 | Provisions relating to abetment of suicide and offences in domestic relations | FIR noted registration under these new code provisions |
Case Summary
- Case Title: State by Marathahalli Police Station vs. Nikita Singhania
- Court: Addl. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Mayo Hall, Bengaluru
- Case Nature: Custody and criminal proceedings linked to the suicide of Bengaluru-based techie Atul Subhash.
- Next Hearing Date: 20 November 2026
- Reason for Adjournment: “P.O. is on leave. Hence, case is adjourned to 20-11-2026.”
Related Proceedings
In Jaunpur District Court:
- Case No. 115/2022 – Filed by Nikita Singhania under the Dowry Prohibition Act against Atul Subhash and his family for dowry harassment and assault.
- Domestic Violence Act Case – Earlier dismissed, re-filed in Additional Civil Judge (First Class) Court, listed for hearing on 24 January 2025.
- Maintenance Act Case – ₹ 40,000 monthly maintenance for son Vyom granted on 29 July 2024; recovery petition pending for 16 December 2025.
In Allahabad High Court:
- Petition by Atul Subhash challenging jurisdiction of Jaunpur cases, stating that alleged incidents occurred in Bengaluru.
- Petitions by Nikita Singhania seeking personal maintenance and speedy disposal of cases.
- Court ordered that the matter be decided within six months.
In Karnataka High Court:
- Proceedings regarding FIR and investigation into abetment to suicide.
In Supreme Court of India:
Child custody granted to Nikita Singhania.
Bench Details
| Court | Judge / Bench |
| Allahabad High Court | Justice Saurabh Srivastava |
| Karnataka High Court | Justice S. R. Krishna Kumar |
| Supreme Court of India | Justice B. V. Nagarathna and Justice S. C. Sharma |
Counsels
| Party | Advocate / Counsel |
| Accused (Singhania Family) | Senior Advocate Manish Tiwari |
| State | Government Advocate |
| Atul Subhash Family | Advocate Dinesh Mishra |
Current Status
- The hearing has been adjourned to 20 November 2026 because the Presiding Officer was on leave.
- The FIR filed on Atul Subhash’s allegations remains under investigation.
- No arrests have been made so far.
- Bengaluru police visited Jaunpur in search of Nikita Singhania but could not find her; a notice has been affixed at her residence.
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