Courtrooms vs. Couple Rooms: What the Atul–Nikita Case Teaches Us about Marital Strain

The tragic suicide of Bengaluru techengineer Atul Subhash in December 2024, and the
ensuing legal tussles with his estranged wife Nikita Singhania, starkly illustrate how
unresolved marital conflicts can spiral into courtroom battles—and ultimately, mental
health crises. In the 24page note he penned before dying by suicide, Atul described years of
financial disputes, extortion demands, and multiple cruelty FIRs filed against him, which
left him “under severe stress” and emotionally isolated www.ndtv.com. By humanizing each
partner’s perspective and unpacking the psychological dynamics at play, we can explore
how early, evidencebased therapy might have prevented this tragedy.

1. Financial Warfare: When Money Becomes a Weapon
   Atul alleged that Nikita and her family repeatedly demanded large sums—reportedly up to
   ₹3 crore—for divorce settlement and child support—using legal threats to extract payments
   www.ndtv.com. Research shows that financial conflict is among the strongest predictors of
   marital distress, as money often symbolizes power and control within intimate relationships.
   Unchecked, these disputes fuel mistrust, resentment, and shame on both sides.
   Therapeutic intervention:
    CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to identify and reframe catastrophic thoughts
   (“She’s out to ruin me financially”) and reduce anxiety-driven reactivity.
    Solution Focused Brief Therapy to set concrete financial goals and communication
   protocols, reducing ambiguity and power imbalances.
2. Mutual Blame and “Us vs. Them” Thinking
   In his note, Atul described feeling hunted by “cruelty cases” and constantly on the
   defensive, while Nikita filed complaints alleging harassment and dowry demands
   www.ndtv.com. This dual narrative created an adversarial dynamic that polarized each
   partner, fostering an “us vs. them” mindset.
   Therapeutic intervention:
    Narrative Therapy to externalize the conflict (“The conflict is the problem, not you
   vs. me”) and collaboratively rewrite each partner’s story, reducing blame and
   opening space for empathy.
    TraumaInformed Care to acknowledge and process any past hurts—emotional or
   financial—that heightened vulnerability on both sides.
3. Legal Battles as Secondary Wounds
   When couples channel their pain into legal filings, the courtroom becomes a stage for
   reenacting relational injuries. Atul’s final video and note accused the justice system of bias

and detailed how each FIR and summons escalated his distress www.ndtv.com. Instead of
healing, the legal process amplified his feelings of powerlessness.

Therapeutic intervention:

 Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to address underlying attachment injuries—fear
of abandonment, loss of safety—and guide couples toward secure bonds, reducing
the urge to seek external “justice.”

 Gottman Method exercises (e.g., “Conflict Blueprints” and “StressReducing
Conversations”) to transform legal escalations into structured, safe dialogues within
therapy sessions.

Isolation and the Erosion of Support Networks
Atul’s note references being cut off from meaningful social support—both from his spouse
and extended family—which is a major risk factor for depression and suicidal ideation.
Social isolation in marriages often begins covertly, through subtle withdrawal or avoidance
of joint social activities.
Therapeutic intervention:
 Group Therapy or Couples Workshops to rebuild social ties and foster peer support.
 Psychoeducation for families, emphasizing how ongoing legal strife can traumatize
both partners—and encouraging collective healing efforts.

Prevention Is Better Than Litigation
The Atul–Nikita case underscores a critical truth: early couples counseling can avert
courtroom crises. Simple screening tools—like the Dyadic Adjustment Scale—and brief
interventions (e.g., communication skills training) can equip couples to manage conflicts
before they harden into legal battles.
Preventative strategies:
 Regular “Couple CheckIns”: Scheduled conversations, facilitated by online guides or
apps, to discuss finances, expectations, and emotional needs.
 Destigmatizing Therapy: Positioning counseling as a routine part of marital
health—just as partners might consult a financial advisor—reduces shame and
encourages early helpseeking.

Conclusion

The Bengaluru tragedy of Atul Subhash and Nikita Singhania is a sobering reminder that
when marital hurts are left unaddressed, they can metastasize into legal wars and profound
psychological suffering. By integrating modalities such as CBT, EFT, Narrative Therapy, and
the Gottman Method, mental health professionals can offer couples constructive channels
to resolve disputes—with empathy and mutual respect—long before they reach the

courthouse doors. In doing so, we shift the narrative from courtroom battles back to couple
rooms, where healing and hope can flourish again.

Sources:
 NDTV: Atul Subhash’s 24page note on what pushed him to the edge www.ndtv.com
 NDTV: Police summons in the techie suicide case www.ndtv.com
 NDTV: Wife’s allegations of harassment and dowry demands www.ndtv.com
 NDTV: Nightmarish legal demands and ₹3 crore extortion claim www.ndtv.com
 Wikipedia: Summary of the Suicide of Atul Subhash (Dec 9, 2024) Wikipedia