In a deeply tragic incident unfolding in Goa, a four-year-old boy was allegedly smothered to death by his mother, identified as Suchana Seth, who serves as the chief executive officer (CEO) of an Artificial Intelligence start-up. The incident occurred in a service apartment at Candolim in North Goa between January 6 and 8, according to police reports.
The woman had checked into the service apartment with her son on January 6, staying for two days. However, on January 8, she left for Bengaluru in a taxi. The alarming discovery came when apartment staff, cleaning the room in which Seth had stayed, found blood stains on a towel. Concerned, they immediately notified the police, mentioning that the woman had left with an unusually heavy bag, and her son was not seen with her.
Goa police, upon receiving the information, swiftly contacted their counterparts in Chitradurga. The woman’s bag was inspected, revealing the lifeless body of the child. Suchana Seth was arrested in Chitradurga and later transported to Goa. The court remanded her in police custody for six days.
According to preliminary investigations, Seth informed the police that she and her husband were estranged, and divorce proceedings were currently underway. The child’s father, Venkat Raman, who was in Jakarta at the time, was informed by the police about the heartbreaking incident. He promptly returned to India and arrived at Chitradurga in Karnataka on Tuesday evening.
Upon his arrival, Venkat Raman provided consent to the local authorities for the post-mortem examination of his son’s body. The devastating nature of the crime and the shocking circumstances surrounding the child’s death have left the community in shock.
A senior police official revealed, “Raman, who was in Jakarta (Indonesia), was contacted by the police and told about the incident. After that, he returned to India. On his arrival in Chitradurga in the evening, he gave his consent for a post-mortem on his child’s body.”
The unfolding tragedy includes a disturbing revelation that Seth reportedly attempted suicide by slashing her wrist after allegedly smothering her son. The motive behind the heartbreaking act remains unclear, and the police are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances leading to the child’s death.
This heart-wrenching incident has sparked conversations about mental health, parenting challenges, and the importance of support systems for individuals undergoing personal crises. As the community grapples with the shock and sadness surrounding the case, it serves as a somber reminder of the complex and sensitive nature of family dynamics.
The case also raises questions about the well-being and mental health of individuals in high-stress professions, such as those in leadership roles within the technology and start-up sectors. The tragedy underscores the importance of providing mental health resources and support for individuals facing personal struggles, especially when it involves the well-being of children.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of a young life, and authorities work to unravel the circumstances leading to this heartbreaking incident. The legal proceedings will shed light on the motives behind the alleged maternal filicide, as the justice system seeks to bring clarity and closure to this devastating chapter.
