Sociopath Indrani

While guilt is still to be proved, and the final verdict could take several years, I have to say Indrani’s character sketch, as has been drawn so far, indicates clear signs of a sociopathic condition. I state this with a degree of conviction because of the research I did for my recent book, An Invitation To Death. Because the book is based on the life of a psychopathic serial killer, I studied the key characteristics of psychopaths and sociopaths. Both, from scientific and social viewpoints.  

International research done over the years on sociopaths indicates clear behavioural patterns, and you’d notice Indrani scores positive on each one of these. Let’s study them.

Sociopaths find it tough to maintain relationships. Indrani’s multiple marriages and various other alleged alliances have been well documented. Sociopaths get involved in multiple relationships because they find it difficult to survive with a single partner, simply because they are incapable of feeling love. This will become clearer as we examine other characteristics.

Sociopaths are manipulative. Indrani scores an A+ on this one, her entire life seems to have been built on manipulating people to forward her own agendas. She manipulated her parents, assorted partners and children, and possibly work colleagues, into taking part in schemes that benefited only her. This would explain her second husband’s role in the murder conspiracy. She would have conned him into it.

Sociopaths are liars, they will hide their past. This needs no elaboration, you only have to ask Peter Mukerjea. Poor chap, he knew nothing about his wife of thirteen years. Not even that the girl who was fondly addressing him as ‘jiju’ for all these years was his step-daughter.

Sociopaths are charming. And charmers find it that much easier to manipulate. I didn’t personally know the lady, but I can say one thing with certainty: A small-time HR player from Guwahati can’t turn into a media honcho in Mumbai, in a matter of a few years, unless there’s some serious allure at work. Husband Peter, say other Page 3 types, was besotted with her years into the marriage. Solid charm.  

Sociopaths are low on emotion. If a mother can cold-bloodedly plan and execute the killing of her own biological daughter, clearly Indrani feels zero emotions in her heart. Indeed, it is this ‘quality’ of sociopaths that makes them great CEOs of organizations (they take purely rational decisions), but it could also lead to criminal activity. Because they feel no empathy, sociopaths don’t bother about the hurt they cause to others.

Sociopaths have no regard for law and social norms. Because sociopaths are enormously narcissistic, their only goal, in whatever they do, is self-fulfillment. With complete disregard for the rights of fellow human beings. This is why sociopaths are prone to crime, because they could get violent with ‘inconvenient’ people. Sheena Bora discovered this at a heavy price.

Sociopaths feel no guilt for their misdeeds. Because their brain is wired to be self-centered, and because they run low on emotional fuel, chances of spotting remorse in sociopaths is nil. Notice that days after hard interrogation, Indrani continues to plead not guilty. And she is likely to do that in the courts too. Not just because she is trying to save herself, but it’s very likely she is convinced she did no wrong.

Sociopaths are likely to have suffered childhood trauma. Skeletons tumbling out of Indrani’s dark closet indicate this. There are reports she used to get beaten up by her (step?) dad. Journalist Vir Sanghvi tells us she might have been molested as a child, or worse.

The question is: Why is it important to classify Indrani as a sociopath? This is because sociopaths and psychopaths often have brain structures that are different from those of normal people. One study indicates there is a thinning of the outer layer of the cortex, and this is the seat in the brain that controls emotions. With deformity in this area, sociopaths are not able to control their actions. It is important to study these factors clinically because they aid in two ways: One, they could help us detect sociopathic tendencies early, and could help control crime. Two, once we accept it’s a medical condition, judges would have to take this into account before sentencing a criminal.

In other words, apart from matching blood and DNA samples, forensics experts need to be trained in studying brain scans if sociopathic condition is suspected. A scan of Indrani’s brain, for example, is sure to reveal interesting findings.

Meanwhile if you are dating someone who is demonstrating the above-mentioned characteristics, rain check on the relationship would be a good idea.

(Image courtesy: Confessions of a Sociopath - A Life Spent Hiding In Plain Sight. By M. E. Thomas)