The suicide of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash has brought the spotlight onto gender-biased laws in India. Why did suicide become the only option for Atul Subhash? Who is responsible for his death— the system, the judiciary, or the police? His tragic death has sparked a demand for gender-neutral laws in India.

In an episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Priya Jain, a lawyer and co-founder of Finology Legal, discusses the legal challenges and how some sections of the law are not gender-neutral.

Anil Murty, co-founder of the Save Indian Family Foundation, points out that Atul Subhash is not an isolated case. There are many others who face similar outcomes, highlighting a larger problem in India.

Abhijit Iyer Mitra, senior fellow at the Institute of Peace & Conflict Studies, shares his perspective on how these laws are shaping India’s story.

00:00 - Introduction

02:01 - The Atul Subhash Case

08:52 - Men's Rights and Media Trials

16:31 - What Led Atul to Die by Suicide?

24:46 - Who Is Responsible for Atul's Death?

27:02 - Section 498A and Its Misuse

31:59 - The Indian Judiciary and Judges

34:51 - Marriage as an Institution

39:32 - Prenuptial Agreements Before Marriage

41:57 - Forced Marriages in Bihar

44:50 - UP Officer Booked for Exploiting IIT Kanpur Student

46:16 - The Police's Role in Forced Marriages

50:21 - The Role of Marriage Mediators in Settling Divorce Disputes

54:27 - The Need for Gender-Neutral Laws

58:43 - Kids' Role in Divorce Settlements

01:01:26 - Understanding Perjury in Divorce Cases

01:06:37 - Karnataka's Progressive Judgments

01:08:41 - Legal Pros and Cons of Marriage

01:13:32 - Gay Relationships

01:16:34 - The Role of Save Indian Family Foundation

01:22:46 - Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar

01:24:37 - Prenuptial Agreements