Parents of OpenAI whistleblower reject suicide ruling, demand FBI investigation
San Francisco: The mysterious death of 26-year-old Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI researcher and whistleblower, has raised serious concerns, with his parents alleging foul play and rejecting the ruling of suicide.
Balaji was found dead in his San Francisco apartment on November 26, with the medical examiner declaring the death a suicide. However, his parents, Balagi Ramamurthy and Ramarao, have disputed the findings, claiming evidence of a struggle and demanding a federal investigation.
"We spoke to him just before his death. He was happy and making plans to visit us in January. There was no suicide note. How can this be ruled a suicide so quickly?" questioned Ramamurthy.
Balaji’s mother highlighted the presence of "blood shots in the bathroom" and signs of a fight, which she believes cannot be ignored.
The incident occurred three months after Balaji publicly accused OpenAI of copyright violations in ChatGPT's development, raising ethical concerns. In an interview with The New York Times, Balaji stated, “If you believe what I believe, you have to just leave the company.” He had resigned in August 2024, citing these concerns.
The San Francisco Police Department reported no signs of foul play during its initial investigation. A gun was found near Balaji’s body, and no other individuals were present at the scene. Despite this, the family claims the probe was rushed.
“It took only 40 seconds for the medical examiner to declare it a suicide,” alleged Ramarao.
Balaji had no known history of mental illness, and his parents have asserted that his ethical stance and advocacy may have made him a target.
A candlelight vigil in Fremont, attended by nearly 80 supporters, called for a deeper investigation. Ganesh Balamitran, a resident, praised Balaji’s work in defending creators’ rights, while Aruja Gupta, a San Jose State University student, demanded the police allocate more resources to the case.
OpenAI has expressed condolences and offered support to Balaji’s family, stating the company was "devastated" by his death.
Balaji’s parents continue to push for an FBI-led investigation, believing only a federal probe can reveal the truth behind their son’s death. "Suchir was brilliant and ethical. He deserves justice," said Ramarao.
The case remains under investigation.
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Three company directors held in Rs 100-crore investment fraud in Kochi
Kochi (Kerala) (PTI): Police on Sunday arrested three directors of a firm accused of cheating hundreds of investors of over Rs 100 crore through a fake investment scheme linked to agricultural tourism here, officials said.
The accused were identified as Muraleedharan, Ashik Murali and Akhil Murali, all natives of Thrissur.
The arrests were made by the Kalamassery police in connection with a fraud involving ATCOS (Agri Tourism Cooperative Society), a firm headquartered at Pathadipalam here.
Police said the company had promised high returns by collecting investments from the public in the agricultural tourism sector, but allegedly cheated hundreds of people and fled with the money.
ATCOS was registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act and operated 13 branches across various districts in Kerala, besides a branch in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu, officials said.
When investors failed to receive their promised returns or the invested amount, complaints were filed with the police.
Officials said around 54 cases have been registered against the firm in 32 police stations across the state, including 29 cases at the Kalamassery police station alone.
Following instructions from Kochi City Police Commissioner K S Mahesh Kumar, a special investigation team was formed under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Shehensha and Thrikkakara ACP Manoj Kumar.
The team traced the accused to an apartment in Amala Nagar in Thrissur, where they had been hiding after secretly renting the flat, officials said.
The bank accounts of the accused have been frozen, and steps have been initiated to trace their assets, officials said.
Police also conducted a raid at the company’s office at Pathadipalam and seized several documents related to the case.
The accused were produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kalamassery, which remanded them to judicial custody and sent them to Kakkanad jail.
Police said they would seek the custody of the accused for further interrogation as the investigation continues.
