Goa murder-accused Bengaluru CEO's mental health assessment indicates no psychopathology
The Goa Police on Tuesday informed the Children's Court that a mental health evaluation of Suchana Seth—the Bengaluru CEO accused of murdering her son—revealed no signs of psychopathology. During the examination, Seth provided "clear and rational answers," the police said. Last month, Seth was caught trying to flee with her four-year-old son's body after allegedly murdering him in a hotel room in Goa. Cops cited a report of the examination conducted at the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB).
Why does this story matter?
Last week, Seth's father filed a court application urging the police to conduct a medical assessment to evaluate her mental health, alleging she was ill. To recall, Seth and her estranged husband, PR Venkatraman, married in 2010 and had a son in 2019. The two were separated after marital discord. Amid divorce and custody battles, strained relations with Venkatraman and custody issues were cited by the police as possible motives for the alleged crime. Further investigation remains underway, cops said.
Seth's judgment intact, no suicidal tendencies: Report
During its reply in court, the Goa Police said, "Her judgment is intact and no pyschotic or pervasive mood symptoms were elicited in responses." The medical evaluation also revealed that she did not express any "active death wishes or suicidal tendencies." In a previous hearing, the Goa Police had told the court that Seth's medical examination had been conducted at the IPHB and the report was awaited.
Court extends Seth's judicial remand
After the hearing, the court adjourned the matter to February 21 and extended her judicial remand until February 26. Seth is a renowned AI ethics expert and data scientist with over 12 years of experience; she was also featured on the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics list for 2021 She has now been booked under Indian Penal Code Sections 302 (murder) and 201 (destruction of evidence), as well as the Goa Children's Act.
How the case unfolded
Seth reportedly reserved a hotel room at Sol Banyan Grande in Candolim, North Goa, from January 6 to January 10. However, on the night of January 7, she checked out, citing urgent matters in Bengaluru. The police apprehended her in Karnataka's Chitradurga district while allegedly attempting to flee in a cab with her son's body. A post-mortem report revealed that the child was smothered to death and had been dead for over 36 hours before his body was discovered.
