Law Ministry issues statement in B’luru techie suicide case; Netizens call it “hollow reassurances"
New Delhi: The tragic suicide of Bengaluru-based techie Atul Subhash has ignited widespread anger, with public outrage focused on the alleged harassment he faced from his wife, her family, and the judicial system. While the Ministry of Law and Justice has issued a statement calling for “care and sensitivity” in family court cases, critics have dismissed the response as superficial and inadequate.
Atul Subhash, 36, was found dead at his Bengaluru residence on Monday. He left behind a 24-page suicide note and a 90-minute video detailing alleged extortion and harassment by his wife and her family, as well as corruption within the judicial system. Subhash accused a family court judge in Uttar Pradesh of demanding an Rs 5 lakh bribe to decide his case. A placard reading “Justice is Due” was discovered in his home, symbolizing his despair.
The Ministry, in a statement posted on X, reiterated that family courts are meant to resolve disputes with sensitivity and impartiality. It claimed the courts are focused on timely resolution and reconciliation. However, the Ministry’s statement has been met with skepticism, as many believe it fails to address the systemic issues highlighted by Subhash’s death.
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In his note and video, Subhash alleged that his wife had filed multiple false cases against him, demanded Rs 2 lakh per month in maintenance for herself and their four-year-old son, and repeatedly instigated him to take his own life. During a court hearing, she allegedly taunted him, saying, “Why don’t you commit suicide too?”
Subhash’s video, which has since gone viral, expressed his anguish over being alienated from his child and his earnings being used to fund cases against him. “The money I earn is making my enemies stronger. That same money will be used to destroy me, and this cycle will continue,” he said.
Adding to the allegations, Subhash’s brother, Bikas Modi, filed a police complaint accusing Subhash’s wife and her family of fabricating cases and demanding a Rs 3 crore settlement. “My brother was harassed continuously and had to travel frequently to Uttar Pradesh for court hearings while working in Bengaluru. He fought against the system, but it ultimately claimed his life,” Modi stated.
The incident has raised critical questions about the functioning of family courts and their accountability. Critics argue that the Ministry’s statement does little to acknowledge the systemic failures that lead to such tragedies. The judicial processes, allegedly riddled with corruption and inefficiency, have come under scrutiny as the public demands meaningful reforms rather than hollow reassurances.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
