The police revealed that Manav’s sister discovered the video on his phone two days after his death. In the nearly seven-minute-long recording, Manav, with a noose around his neck, made emotional statements about his life and marriage.
Agra, Uttar Pradesh – A software engineer from Agra, working at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), allegedly died by suicide on February 24. The deceased, Manav Sharma, was found hanging in his home. A distressing video recorded by him before his death has surfaced, in which he blamed his wife, Nikita, for his tragic decision.
The police revealed that Manav’s sister discovered the video on his phone two days after his death. In the nearly seven-minute-long recording, Manav, with a noose around his neck, made emotional statements about his life and marriage.
Manav’s Heartbreaking Words in the Video
“This is for authorities. The law needs to protect men, or there will be a time when there will be no men left to blame. My wife was involved with another man… But what can I do? It does not matter anymore,”
he said.
He took a brief pause and continued, “I don’t have a problem with dying. I want to go. Please think about men. I’m sorry, everyone. Please, someone should talk about men. They become very lonely. Everything will get better once I go. I have attempted suicide even before.”
Wife’s Counter-Video
Shortly after the video was made public, Manav’s wife, Nikita, responded with a counter-video. She denied the accusations against her and claimed that her husband used to beat her.
“The day he died by suicide, he had dropped me at my maternal home. Whatever claims he has made about me, it is about my past. It is not related to anything after our marriage. He has tried to harm himself multiple times before… I have stopped him at least three times. He used to drink and beat me up too,” she said.
She further stated that she had informed Manav’s parents about his suicidal tendencies, but they did not take any action.
“I had told his parents everything, but they said the issue is between husband and wife. They came for two days and left. I had called up his sister too and informed her about him attempting to die by suicide. To this, she told me to sleep and said he would not do anything,”
she added.
After Manav’s sister found the video, a complaint was filed against Nikita. The police are now investigating the matter.
“The incident took place on February 24. Manav Sharma’s body was taken to the Army hospital and sent for post-mortem. We did not receive any complaint that day. They filed a case after they found the video on his phone. His wife has called the allegations against her false. We are investigating further,” a senior police official said.
Similar Cases in Recent Times
Manav Sharma’s case is not the only such incident. Recently, another techie, Atul Subhash, from Bengaluru, also died by suicide.
Atul Subhash, a 34-year-old engineer, was found dead at his residence in Munnekolalu, Bengaluru, on December 9, 2024. The young techie had reportedly taken his life, leaving behind a suicide note and video, in which he blamed his wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family for harassment. The revelations in his suicide note sparked a nationwide outcry, with demands for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Constitutional Remedies for Men in India
Article 14: Equality Before Law
Article 14 ensures equality before the law, stating that every individual is equal in the eyes of the law. However, in gender-related offenses under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) or the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, men are often perceived as the primary perpetrators, leading to a lack of legal safeguards for male victims.
Article 15: Prohibition of Discrimination
Article 15 prohibits discrimination based on gender, caste, religion, race, or place of birth. Notably, it also includes provisions for the safety and security of women, but there is no equivalent emphasis on protections specifically for men.
Article 21: Right to Life and Personal Liberty
Article 21 ensures that no person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty except in accordance with procedures established by law. Despite this, the practical application of Article 15 has led to an imbalance, where the focus remains on safeguarding women without parallel legal provisions to address the challenges faced by men.
Legal Remedies for Men
In cases of fundamental rights violations, Indian citizens have the right to approach the Supreme Court under Article 32. This provision empowers individuals to seek judicial remedies if their constitutional rights are infringed.
The Men’s Rights Movement in India
The men’s rights movement in India emerged in 1998, spearheaded by Supreme Court advocate Ram Prakash Chugh. His initiative aimed to provide legal guidance to men and raise awareness among lawmakers about issues affecting them. Over the years, organizations and helplines have been established to support men facing domestic violence, false allegations, and legal discrimination.
