A deeply disturbing case of alleged abuse and neglect has emerged from Uttar Pradesh’s Mahoba district, where a 70-year-old retired railway employee, Om Prakash Singh Rathore, reportedly died after being starved and confined inside his own home for years. His mentally challenged daughter, Rashmi, aged 27, was discovered in an extremely frail and skeletal condition, barely alive. The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised serious questions about prolonged abuse motivated by property greed.
According to Om Prakash’s brother, Amar Singh Rathore, the elderly man had retired from railway service in 2015 and was living quietly with his daughter after the death of his wife in 2016. Unable to manage household work on his own, he hired a couple — Ram Prakash Kushwaha and his wife Ram Devi — to help care for both himself and Rashmi. Over time, however, the couple allegedly took complete control of the house, confining the father and daughter to the ground floor while occupying the upper portion themselves.
Amar Singh alleged that the domestic help gradually isolated Om Prakash and Rashmi from the rest of the family. Whenever relatives attempted to visit, they were turned away with excuses, being told that Om Prakash did not wish to meet anyone. He claimed that his brother was taken to a hospital only once during these years, despite his deteriorating condition. The family now believes that both father and daughter were systematically deprived of adequate food, care and medical attention.
Describing the extent of neglect, Amar Singh said the couple would claim they fed the victims regularly, but in reality they were barely given anything to eat. “If they had even been given two rotis a day, their condition would not have become so horrifying,” he said, alleging that greed over property and savings was the real motive behind the abuse.
The family was informed of Om Prakash’s death on Monday. When they reached the house, they were left traumatised by what they saw. His body was severely emaciated, showing clear signs of prolonged starvation. Rashmi was found lying naked in a dark room, reduced to skin and bones, barely conscious and unable to move properly. A family member described the scene as unbearable, saying she looked like an elderly woman despite being only 27 years old.
Doctors at the district hospital declared Om Prakash dead on arrival. His body has been sent for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Rashmi has been admitted for medical treatment, and her condition is said to be critical.
Police have taken cognisance of the matter and begun an investigation. The accused couple is being questioned, and further action is expected based on the post-mortem report and medical findings. The case has sparked outrage, highlighting a brutal instance of human cruelty driven by greed and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
