Supreme Court Grants Custody of Late Techie Atul Subhash’s Son to His Mother Amid Legal Battle

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Supreme Court has ruled that the four-year-old son of the late Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash will stay with his mother, Nikita Singhania. This decision comes amid a contentious custody battle following Subhash's tragic death by suicide in December where he had accused his wife and her family of harassment. On January 20, 2025 the court instructed Singhania to present the child via video link within 30 minutes, stressing the urgency of the matter.

The case was heard by Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice SC Sharma who were addressing a petition filed by Anju Devi, Subhash's mother, seeking custody of her grandson. Previously, the court had rejected Devi's request, describing her as a "stranger" to the child due to their limited interaction. The justices reaffirmed this position during the recent proceedings, emphasizing that custody disputes should be resolved in the appropriate lower courts.

Earlier in January, Singhania informed the court that her son was enrolled in a boarding school in Faridabad, Haryana but would be withdrawn to live with her in Bengaluru as part of her bail conditions following her arrest on charges related to her husband's death. The court has expressed concern over the child's well-being and has directed the governments of Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to provide further clarity on the situation. Throughout the legal battle, both families have voiced their intentions for the child's future. Anju Devi has publicly stated her wish to raise her grandson in honor of her late son’s memory while Singhania and her family face serious allegations connected to Subhash's death but are currently out on bail. The Supreme Court’s ruling represents a crucial moment in this ongoing custody dispute, underscoring the need to prioritize the child's best interests amidst the complex family dynamics and legal challenges.