A Delhi court on Friday sent dermatologist Manish Gupta to police custody for two days, with investigators saying they would question the doctors treating him after his family revealed that he had been taking antidepressants for nearly a decade.
Officials said Gupta, 50, beat his domestic worker, Meena Haldar, 45, with a cricket bat on the balcony of his Mount Kailash home on Thursday morning before stabbing her in the neck. He then went downstairs and waited in blood-stained clothes until he surrendered to police.
His wife and son reportedly told investigators that Gupta had been receiving treatment for mental health issues and had been taking antidepressants for the past decade. Police said they were still verifying his medical documents.
Mental health investigation
“We will also question his doctors to understand if there is a reason or recent behavioral change. This may help in identifying a clear motive,” an officer, requesting anonymity, told HT.
Police said Gupta had been suffering from a combination of psychological disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression, for nearly two decades. They added that there was no previous history of violent behaviour.
An investigator, who also requested anonymity, told HT that the accused had long demanded the dismissal of Haldar – who had worked in the house for 10 to 12 years – but his wife did not agree to it. “He said this made him angry and he attacked Haldar. He did not plan this,” the investigator said.
Ambiguity on motive
Gupta’s wife, Dr. Tina Gupta, told investigators that there had been a discussion about Haldar’s job and that Gupta had asked to be removed, but there was no further argument or fight after she disagreed. Their teenage son, who was inside the apartment when the attack occurred, told police he had no idea his father had done anything.
Hemant Tiwari, deputy commissioner of police (southeast), said Gupta acted alone. Police added that Gupta did not attempt to destroy evidence or change his clothes after the attack.
Haldar’s son Robin said the family remained in shock. “My mother worked hard every day to support us. She always spoke highly of the Gupta family. Why did they do that?” He told HT.
Police are analyzing CCTV footage from nearby buildings and awaiting the autopsy report. Doctors at AIIMS told investigators that Haldar died due to severe injuries to her neck.
In custody
As for Gupta, the judge granted police custody for two days on Friday. The police moved the detention request to recover the clothes worn by Dr. Manish Gupta at the time of committing the crime and to collect other evidence.
The court asked the police to conduct a medical examination of the accused.
Advocate Kamal Nayan Tiwari appeared on behalf of Dr Manish Gupta and opposed the detention sought by the police, saying Manish Gupta is taking medication for some mental health issues.
