Two young women in Secunderabad spent four days living with the decomposed body of their mother in their rented house. The shocking case came to light on Friday when neighbours complained to the police about a foul smell emanating from the residence in Warasiguda.
The deceased, identified as 45-year-old Sri Latha, is suspected to have died of cardiac arrest, though police are still investigating the exact cause of death. Her daughters, Ravalika (25) and Ashwitha (22), reportedly did not inform anyone about her passing and continued to stay in the house with the corpse, possibly due to shock or financial constraints, as per a report on IANS.
After completing their degree, the sisters were reportedly working as sales girls, as reported by PTI.
On Friday, upon entering the house, police found the mother’s body in one room while the daughters were in another. The young women, suspected to be mentally distressed, were shifted to a hospital for medical evaluation. Authorities also noted that they had attempted self-harm by slitting their wrists, the agency report added.
The house owner, who had rented the place to the family two months ago, stated that the women kept two dogs chained inside the house and had been asked to vacate the premises. Some neighbours speculated that the sisters did not have the financial means to arrange their mother’s cremation. However, police maintained that the actual reason would be clear only after recording their statements.
The decomposed body was shifted to Gandhi Hospital for autopsy, while the police registered a case of death under suspicious circumstances. Secunderabad MLA T Padmarao Goud directed authorities to ensure medical attention for the two sisters. Investigators are expected to gather further details once the women are in a stable condition to provide their statements.
Meanwhile, the sisters’ father left them several years ago and they do not have any close relatives.
