Emotions ran high at the Calangute police station in north Goa as Venkat Raman confronted his estranged wife, Suchana Seth, asking her why she killed their 4-year-old son. Suchana retorted, putting the blame on Raman for her distress. The intense scene unfolded when Raman pressed Suchana about the alleged crime during their meeting at the police station, only to face her denial and counter-accusation.
Venkat Raman and Suchana had sought police permission to meet, and they were allowed a 15-minute conversation at the Calangute police station. The couple had got married in 2010 but filed for divorce after eight years.
During the meeting, Raman recorded a five-page statement over two hours, shedding light on the tumultuous history between them. He expressed that Suchana had always perceived him as a violent person who might take their son away, which led to her leaving his house and filing for divorce in a Bengaluru family court.
Raman’s counsel, Azhar Meer, highlighted the lack of justice for Raman and his deceased son. He argued that the legal battle for children often results in their loss, regardless of the outcome. Meer contended that the case’s resolution, whether punishment for Suchana or her release on bail, would make little difference to Raman, as the child always bears the brunt of the consequences in such disputes.
The lawyer also revealed an ongoing custody battle in a Bengaluru family court, pointing out Suchana’s insistence on specific conditions for their meetings. Initially, the court had allowed Raman to speak to his son over the phone or through video calls. In November, the court permitted Raman to visit the child at home. However, Suchana insisted that the meetings should take place in a child-friendly environment, like a cafe. On January 7, when Raman arrived at the house to meet his son, he received no response from Suchana.
Suchana, the CEO of Bengaluru start-up The Mindful AI Lab, is accused of smothering her son to death in a service apartment in Goa on January 7 and attempting suicide by slashing her wrist.
