Karnataka police probing suicide case use forensic psychological autopsy for first time in state
Bengaluru: A new technique, forensic psychological autopsy (FPA), used for the investigation of a suicide case, is being introduced in Karnataka to understand the mental state of a deceased person prior to his/her death.
Mumbai police had used this technique during the investigation of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide case, and a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team employed FPA in the 2018 Burari deaths in Delhi, reports Deccan Herald.
Karnataka High Court has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a case of abetment to suicide involving a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officer and the assistance of officials from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) has been sought to perform the FPA.
A 33-year-old entrepreneur in Bengaluru, Jeeva S, allegedly committed suicide at home in Padmanabhanagar on November 22, 2024. She had left an 11-page death note, accusing a Deputy Superintendent of Police, BM Kanaka Lakshmi, of ‘harassing and torturing’ her, as Jeeva had been summoned for questioning in a case related to irregularities at the Bhovi Corporation.
An officer in the investigation team said that the FPA would help them understand if the style and process of investigation had led Jeeva to take the extreme step. The team members had spoken to Jeeva’s friends, reviewed interrogation videos, analyzed her suicide note, examined call details and the CCTV camera footage showing Jeeva entering and leaving the interrogation location.
An examination of the video on the interrogation helped the team assess Jeeva’s facial expressions, intonations and responses. There was also a study of the suicide victim’s dress, hair style and physical state on each round of police interrogation, the officer said. A comparison of these records and observations was made, with the team finding that Jeeva expressed stress and lesser interest in herself.
A review of Jeeva’s reactions to the questions of the investigating officer was also conducted to check for any signs of fear or weariness.
The police officers are learned to have spoken to Jeeva’s friends regarding her social behavior and change in interactions after she started attending the interrogations. Further, her phone calls were inspected, with the team finding the analysis to be indicative in nature. The officer has said that Jeeva’s initial firmness and defiance towards interrogation along and call of interrogators gradually turned into a response that indicated fear.
The outcome of the study has been added to the chargesheet, which will be submitted in a few days, said the officer, adding that the police have also been granted sanction for prosecution in the case.
The officer, however, stated that, while the outcome would serve as circumstantial evidence to support police investigation, the results are not conclusive.
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Veteran Tamil film producer Rajan dies after jumping into Adyar River
Chennai (PTI): Veteran Tamil film producer K Rajan died after jumping into the Adyar River in the city on Sunday, police said.
Police said it appears to be a case of suicide, though the reason for his extreme step was not immediately known.
The 85-year-old film personality asked his driver to stop the car while crossing the Adyar bridge and suddenly got out and jumped into the river, police sources said.
The driver immediately alerted Fire and Rescue Services personnel, who reached the spot, recovered the body, and sent it for post-mortem.
Police have registered a case, and further investigation is underway.
Rajan entered the Tamil film industry as a producer in the early 1980s. Apart from producing films, he also directed a few movies.
He also served as president of a film distributors’ association.
Top leaders of political parties, including the two Dravidian majors—the DMK and AIADMK—expressed shock and grief over his death and conveyed their condolences to the bereaved family.
Former Chief Minister and DMK President M K Stalin said Rajan had always boldly raised his voice for the welfare of small film producers and the overall development of the film industry.
“He had always urged that Tamil films be titled in Tamil,” Stalin said in a statement, adding that Rajan consistently fought for the rights of ordinary workers in the film industry.
AIADMK general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said Rajan’s voice was important in securing recognition for small-budget films in the Tamil film industry.
Among others who condoled his death was PMK founder S Ramadoss. Leaders from various parties also expressed their condolences to the bereaved family.
“This is terrible news. Deeply shocked to hear about the demise of our beloved member of the film fraternity, producer K Rajan sir,” actor and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar said in a post on social media platform X.
“He was a very respectful person and someone who never hesitated to call a spade a spade. This is very upsetting. May his soul rest in peace,” she added.
