Who is Rishi Trivedi, whose death by suicide has become a talking point after the Atul Subhash case?

As social media continues to buzz over the tragic suicide of 34-year-old Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash, another devastating case has resurfaced. This time, it’s the story of Rishi Trivedi, a taxi driver from Delhi, who tragically took his own life last year.

Like Atul, Rishi, too, allegedly killed himself on December 27, 2023, due to harassment from his wife Shikha Awasthi, according to Rishi’s brother Omji Trivedi.

As more people become aware of Rishi’s story, the hashtag #JusticeForRishi has gained momentum on social media, sparking conversations about the often-overlooked struggles men face in such situations.

Here’s a closer look at Rishi’s heartbreaking story.

Rishi’s troubled marriage

Rishi originally from Auraiya, Uttar Pradesh, was a hardworking taxi driver, who worked 12 to 14 hours a day behind the wheel in Delhi to make ends meet.

However, his marriage to Shikha Awasthi soon turned his life upside down. According to Omji, Rishi’s troubles began just days into his marriage.

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“Just four days after their wedding, she was caught stealing jewellery. Twice within two weeks, her true face was exposed, after which she started intimidating and threatening us,” Omji wrote in a series of thread posts on X.

Like Atul Subhash, my brother was also driven to take his own life due to unbearable harassment by his wife, Shikha Awasthi. On December 27, 2023, he committed suicide, unable to bear her cruelty anymore. #JusticeforRishi #ArrestShikhaAwasthi #JusticeForAtulSubhash pic.twitter.com/NJzXtPg4KS

— Omji Trivedi (@KarnTheReviewer) December 10, 2024

He also accused his sister-in-law of depriving Rishi of peace, sleep, and food, and claimed that when their mother tried to intervene, she allegedly threatened the family with severe repercussions.

As time went on, Shikha’s behaviour allegedly became more erratic, leaving Rishi emotionally and mentally drained.

“On December 24, she called her sister to our street, created a public scene, and left after insulting and humiliating my brother,” Omji recounted, explaining how the situation escalated and eventually led to Rishi ending his own life.

“Before leaving, she threw her saree at him and said hang yourself with this. On December 25, my brother took his taxi and went outside Delhi. The next day, he used that very saree to end his life,” Omji wrote while sharing the video recorded by his brother before his death where he blames his wife for his suicide.

No FIR registered to date, says Rishi’s brother

Rishi’s family continues to face hardships even after his tragic death.

Omji revealed that Shikha demanded Rs 7 lakh from their father the day after Rishi’s passing. She allegedly threatened to prevent his last rites unless the money was paid.

“She insulted us, shouted in the street, and hurled abuses at our family. Despite this, the police took no action. I filed a complaint at the police station, but it was ignored,” Omji stated.

He also accused Shikha’s family of supporting her actions, leaving his own family feeling abandoned by the justice system.

“Even now, she is only after money, and the law has failed to hold her accountable. Instead, our grieving family is being dragged into false cases and endless harassment,” Omji added.

Also read: Atul Subhash suicide case: Did Bengaluru techie's wife, family demand Rs 3 crore, file false cases?

#JusticeforRishi trends

After Omji’s post about Rishi’s tragic story went viral, the hashtag #JusticeforRishi quickly started trending on social media. Many users drew comparisons with the recent case of Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash.

Atul, a 34-year-old engineer from Bihar, died by suicide on December 11, 2024, leaving behind a 24-page note accusing his wife, Nikita Singhania , and her family of harassment.

Atul’s family claimed that Nikita and her family had filed false cases against him and demanded Rs 3 crore to resolve their issues. They also alleged that Nikita was asking for Rs 30 lakh to allow Atul to meet their son.

Overwhelmed by emotional and financial pressure, Atul took his life in his Bengaluru apartment.

Both Rishi’s and Atul’s cases highlight a disturbing pattern of men enduring severe harassment and feeling unsupported by the legal system, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes. Many social media users are calling for stricter action to prevent the misuse of laws and ensure fair treatment for all parties involved.

Now, based on the complaint filed by Atul’s brother, Bikas Kumar, against four people, including Atul’s wife Nikita Singhania has been booked, under sections 108 (abetment of suicide) and 3(5) (when a criminal act is carried out by multiple persons in furtherance of a common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

With input from agencies