SIFF Men’s Rights Activists Demand Judicial, Alimony Reforms, and ‘One Marriage, One Court’ System Following Suicide of Atul Subhash

Over 100 concerned citizens, including men’s rights activists from the Save Indian Family Foundation (SIFF), gathered at Pune Collector’s Office to pay their respects and demand justice for Atul Subhash, an AI expert who tragically took his own life on Sunday.

Subhash, 34, was found hanging from his house in Munnekolalu, Southeast Bengaluru, on December 9. He left behind lengthy videos and notes, blaming his wife and in-laws for driving him to suicide through “false” cases and “persistent torture”.

He (Subhash) had left about a forty page death note and he has raised several issues, most importantly about the misuse of provisions in the law that were meant for protection of women. He has said that he was pressured for ₹3 crore and other things including cases booked against him.

The participants highlighted the urgent need for the judicial system in India to acknowledge and address the grievances of men’s families, particularly in cases involving marital disputes and related issues.

The event, titled “Shraddhanjali to Atul Subhash,” witnessed citizens from various walks of life uniting in solidarity. Over 250 letters and flowers were sent to the Chief Justice of India and principal judges of district courts, urging them to transition from ‘idle mode’ to ‘action mode’ and be more sensitive to men’s issues. The citizens are calling for a judicial system that treats men with dignity and respect, not as criminals or financial resources.

Additionally, SIFF has put forth nine direct requests for judicial and legal reforms. These reforms include replacing the term “maintenance” with “spousal support,” limiting spousal support to half the duration of marriage, and ensuring that only one application for spousal support is heard. They have also called for dismissing support requests from women with high qualifications or earnings, unless they are physically or mentally disabled.

The organization has also advocated for procedural reforms, including allowing remote hearings for litigants located over 300 kilometers away from courts. The proposal also includes protecting the right of men to work without undue interference, such as police visits to workplaces or restrictions on travel.

The concept of a “One Marriage / One Court” system has also been proposed. This would prevent spouses from filing cases in multiple courts in different cities, ensuring that all cases between a couple, whether civil or criminal, are decided in the same court. Additionally, SIFF calls for halting arrests under Section 498A and related laws, which are often misused. They have asked for a judicial process that ensures fairness, avoiding the automatic conversion of complaints into FIRs, charge sheets, and charges without proper scrutiny.

Pandurang Katti, Co-founder of SIFF, emphasized the need for updating laws to reflect the realities of modern society. He criticized the expectation that men should always be the sole providers in relationships and called for reforms to allow men to move on from relationships without being financially burdened.

Sameer Goel, SIFF Co-Ordinator, highlighted the issue of non-compliance by lower and family courts with Supreme Court guidelines in cases involving maintenance and alimony. He pointed out that many courts fail to provide video conferencing for distant litigants and often ignore applications for child access.

To address these systemic issues, SIFF has demanded the establishment of a Parliamentary Enquiry Committee to investigate Atul Subhash’s death and engage with those affected by similar struggles. They also call for a comprehensive overhaul of the judicial ecosystem to implement reforms that go beyond temporary solutions. The organization urges the government to take action to prevent malicious prosecution and ensure the protection of men’s right to life, liberty, and work.

SIFF, founded in 2005, claims to be the largest pan-India men’s rights organization. It has led campaigns advocating for the amendment of dowry laws, Section 498A, false rape accusations, and alimony and child custody reforms. SIFF has also been at the forefront of campaigns for judicial and police reforms in India.