In a dramatic turn of events following the tragic suicide of Bengaluru engineer Atul Subhash on December 9, his mother, Anju Modi, has filed a habeas corpus petition in the Supreme Court seeking the custody of her four-year-old grandson. The whereabouts of the child remain unknown, and Modi is seeking legal intervention after Subhash’s wife, Nikita Singhania, and her family failed to reveal the boy’s location.

Atul Subhash left behind video and written notes alleging harassment and false accusations from his wife and in-laws. These claims are central to the ongoing legal proceedings, with Modi contending that the Singhania family is obstructing the efforts to locate her grandson.

According to reports, Nikita Singhania told the police that her son was enrolled in a Faridabad boarding school and in the custody of her uncle, Sushil Singhania. However, Sushil has since denied any knowledge of the child’s whereabouts, further complicating the situation.

A bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice N Kotiswar Singh, has issued notices to the governments of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Karnataka, demanding clarity regarding the child’s location. The next hearing of the case has been scheduled for January 7, 2025.

The case has garnered significant attention due to the multiple arrests made in connection with Subhash’s death. On December 16, Subhash’s wife, Nikita Singhania, her mother Nisha Singhania, and brother Anurag Singhania were arrested by the Karnataka Police. The authorities cited evidence from Subhash’s suicide note and video, accusing the Singhania family of abetting the suicide. They are currently in judicial custody.

Anju Modi’s petition claims that the Singhania family has actively hindered the search for the missing child. Subhash’s father, Pawan Kumar, has also publicly demanded custody of his grandson, joining Modi’s plea for the child’s immediate return.

In a counter-move, the Singhania family is defending itself. Nikita’s uncle, Sushil Singhania, sought anticipatory bail in the Allahabad High Court, with his counsel, senior advocate Manish Tiwary, arguing that Sushil, at the age of 69 with chronic health issues, could not be held accountable for the suicide. The court granted him pre-arrest bail with strict conditions, including the surrender of his passport and availability for police questioning.

Subhash’s family has strongly contested the actions of Nikita and her relatives, alleging they harassed him with false legal cases and extortion demands. The family has vowed not to perform the last rites for Subhash until justice is served. “We will not immerse my brother’s ashes until all false cases are dropped and justice is delivered,” said Bikas Kumar, Subhash’s brother.

As the legal battle intensifies, the family has expressed grave concerns about the safety of Subhash’s son. “We have not seen him in recent photos. We are deeply concerned about his safety. We want to know his whereabouts, and we demand his custody immediately,” said Bikas Kumar.

This complex case, involving family feuds, legal battles, and a missing child, continues to unfold, with both families bracing for the next phase of litigation.

Om Prakash Chautala, a veteran leader of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and five-time Haryana Chief Minister, has passed away at the age of 89. The political stalwart breathed his last at his residence in Gurgaon following a cardiac arrest. His demise marks the end of an era for Haryana’s politics, where he played a significant role for decades.

Born on January 1, 1935, in Sirsa, Haryana, Om Prakash Chautala’s political career spanned over several decades. He first became Haryana’s Chief Minister in 1989, though his tenure was cut short after just six months. Two months later, he assumed the role again but was forced to resign after only five days. Despite these early setbacks, his political career thrived, and he went on to serve as Chief Minister for two consecutive terms from 1999 to 2005, solidifying his position as one of the prominent leaders of Haryana.

Chautala’s tenure was not without controversy. In 2013, he and his son, Ajay Singh Chautala, were convicted for their involvement in a major corruption scandal known as the teacher recruitment scam. The duo was found guilty of illegally recruiting over 3,000 teachers in Haryana in 2000. They were sentenced to 10 years in prison, though Mr. Chautala was granted early release in 2021 after serving nine and a half years.

In 2022, Chautala faced additional legal troubles when he was sentenced to four years in prison in a disproportionate assets case, alongside a fine of ₹50 lakh. At the time, he became the oldest prisoner in Tihar Jail at the age of 87.

The Chautala family has maintained a strong influence in Haryana’s political landscape. Mr. Chautala’s son, Abhay Singh Chautala, now leads the INLD, while Ajay Singh Chautala, who split from the family fold, founded the Janata Jannayak Party in 2019. Abhay Singh served as an MLA from Ellenabad between 2019 and 2024, and his grandson, Arjun Chautala, made his mark by winning the Assembly election from Rania in 2023. Another grandson, Dushyant Singh Chautala, made history in 2014 as the youngest-ever Lok Sabha MP.

Despite his legal challenges and controversies, Om Prakash Chautala’s influence on Haryana’s political scene cannot be overstated. His leadership in the state, especially his two terms from 1999 to 2005, reshaped Haryana’s political narrative. He is survived by his two sons, three daughters, and numerous grandchildren, many of whom continue to be involved in the state’s political activities.

Mr. Chautala had last contested the Haryana Assembly elections from Uchana Kalan in 2009, securing a victory. With a simple education background—he studied till Class 10—Chautala’s rise in politics was a testament to his leadership and influence.

His death is being mourned by supporters and political figures across the region, as his legacy continues through his family, ensuring the Chautala name remains influential in Haryana’s future politics.

A devastating collision involving a gas tanker and multiple vehicles on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway transformed a busy roadway into a fiery inferno on Friday morning, claiming eight lives and leaving over 40 injured. The accident, captured on CCTV footage, shows smoke quickly engulfing the street before a massive explosion rocked the area, resulting in extensive damage.

The fire triggered by the crash spread rapidly, burning at least 30 vehicles and filling the sky with thick black smoke. Flames from the blaze were visible from nearly a kilometer away, and a 300-meter stretch of the highway was left heavily damaged, causing significant traffic disruptions and long vehicle queues.

Emergency services, including ambulances and fire department teams, were dispatched promptly to the site. Efforts are ongoing to identify passengers from a bus caught behind the gas tanker during the accident. Authorities are also assessing the damage to establishments along the highway caused by the intense heat and flames.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar visited the injured at SMS Hospital in Jaipur, where a green corridor has been set up to expedite the transportation of patients from the accident site. According to Health Minister Khimsar, nearly half of those admitted to the hospital are in critical condition.

The incident has drawn attention to road safety measures and the handling of hazardous materials in transit, with authorities urging stricter adherence to safety protocols to prevent similar tragedies.

The Jaipur-Ajmer highway, a critical route connecting major cities in Rajasthan, remains partially closed as cleanup and investigation efforts continue.