In a shocking and heartbreaking turn of events, Suchana Seth, the 39-year-old CEO of Mindful AI Lab, a prominent artificial intelligence start-up, has been arrested in Karnataka’s Chitradurga under grave allegations of murdering her four-year-old son. The incident unfolded in Goa, where Ms. Seth allegedly took her son’s life before fleeing to Karnataka. The motive behind this tragic crime remains unclear, but the police suspect her troubled relationship with her estranged husband might have played a role.
Ms. Seth, a native of West Bengal, checked into the Sol Banyan Grande in North Goa’s Candolim over the weekend with her young son while her husband, a fellow AI developer, was away in Indonesia. On Monday, she checked out alone, opting for a taxi to Bengaluru despite being advised to take a flight.
Alarmingly, the hotel staff noticed the absence of her son and later discovered bloodstains in the apartment she had occupied. Concerned, they promptly informed the Goa police, triggering a sequence of events that led to Ms. Seth’s arrest.
Goa police called the taxi driver and confronted Ms. Seth about her missing son. She provided a false address, claiming her son was with a friend. Realizing the deception, the police discreetly instructed the driver, in Konkani, to divert the cab to the nearest police station in Chitradurga, approximately 200 km from Bengaluru.
Details of the Incident:
Dr. Kumar Naik disclosed that the child had succumbed more than 36 hours before, shedding light on a grim scenario. The post-mortem examination indicated that the child was likely asphyxiated, possibly by smothering using a cloth or pillow while staying in a service apartment during their vacation.
Suchana Seth was taken into custody in Chitradurga, Karnataka, en route from Goa to Bengaluru, with her son’s body concealed in a suitcase. The Goa Police directed her arrest, highlighting the shocking circumstances surrounding the incident.
Investigation Insights:
Dr. Naik emphasized that the child was strangled, likely with a pillow or cloth, and revealed that there were no indications of manual strangulation. Rigor mortis had subsided, indicating a period exceeding 36 hours since the incident. Blood samples have been collected for DNA analysis, seeking confirmation of details.
A Goa Police officer involved in the probe suggested the possible use of a pillow from the service apartment in the child’s asphyxiation. The officer also mentioned Suchana Seth’s alleged attempt at self-harm using scissors for wrist-slitting.
Suchana Seth, a postgraduate from the University of Calcutta, had a research background at the Raman Research Institute and spent time at Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society. Originally from West Bengal, she has been residing in Bengaluru. Her estranged husband, Venkat Raman, from Kerala, returned to India upon learning about their child’s heartbreaking demise. The couple had married in 2010, and their son was born in 2019 but reported disputes led to divorce proceedings in 2020.
Arrest and Discovery:
Upon reaching the police station, Ms. Seth was apprehended, and to the shock of the authorities, the lifeless body of her four-year-old son was found inside a bag she was carrying. Initial investigations suggest the boy may have been suffocated to death with a pillow, as no visible external injuries were evident except for bleeding from his nose.
Ms. Seth, who appeared distressed and uncooperative, is now in police custody and faces serious charges related to the alleged murder of her child. Authorities have urged her husband, Venkat Raman, to return to India, presumably for further questioning and involvement in the ongoing investigation.
Professional Background:
Suchana Seth, before this tragic incident, held a significant position in the field of artificial intelligence. According to her LinkedIn profile, she was recognized as one of the top “100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics for 2021.” With over 12 years of experience as a data scientist, she has contributed to mentoring data science teams and scaling machine learning solutions in both start-ups and industry research labs.
Conclusion:
This heart-wrenching incident involving Suchana Seth has sent shockwaves through the tech community and beyond. As the legal proceedings unfold, it serves as a stark reminder of the complex interplay between personal struggles and professional accomplishments. The AI community is left to grapple with the tragedy, contemplating the delicate balance between success in the professional realm and the personal challenges that individuals may face. The case emphasizes the importance of mental health awareness and support within the workplace, urging society to reflect on the broader implications of such unfortunate events.
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