In a development that has shocked Telangana's Hyderabad, an elderly couple in Nagole, both visually impaired, lived unknowingly with their deceased son’s body for four days. The incident came to the fore when their neighbours in Andhu Colony found a strong stench emanating from the couple's home. The concerned neighbours immediately notified the police on Tuesday.
When the police arrived at the scene, they discovered the decomposing body of the couple's 32-year-old son, while the parents, both aged over 60, appeared in a weakened state, reported news agency IANS. The police provided them with food and water. The couple explained that they had called out to their son for help but received no response.
Police believe the son may have passed away in his sleep. The corpse was taken to Osmania Hospital for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The Nagole Police Station, under the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate, has registered a case and begun an investigation.
Circle Inspector Surya Nayak said that the elderly couple’s voices were very faint, which is why neighbours couldn't hear their cries for help. Preliminary investigation revealed that retired government employee Kaluva Ramana, aged over 60, lived in a rented home with his wife, Shantikumari, and their younger son, Pramod, who had a drinking problem. Due to Pramod’s addiction to alcohol, his wife had left him, taking their daughters with her.
The authorities notified the couple’s elder son, Pradeep, who resides in another area of the city, to take care of his parents.
In a similar event in 2022, a 22-year-old man with mental health issues spent three days with his deceased mother’s body in their Hyderabad apartment in the Malkajgiri area. The police were informed by the neighbours. The neighbours, who were alerted by a foul smell wafting from the house, found her body in a decomposed state.