MYSORE: In a heart-rending and gut-wrenching incident, an 80-year-old woman was seen sharing her living space with a cow and a pair of calves in a cowshed at Ittigegudu in city.
The incident came to light when the neighbours brought it to the notice of the police on Thursday. The victim, Mallamma, is a widow and became a liability for her third son Javarappa after her husband Mariyappa’s death a few years ago.
Javarappa, his wife Nagamma and Mallamma were living under one roof in a one-bedroom house on the first floor. A year ago, the couple felt the space crunch in their little house and decided to shift the aged mother to the cowshed next to their home.
When the police visited the spot on Thursday morning, Malamma was found resting on a mat in a corner of the filthy cow shed battling mosquitoes and flies.
Unbearable stench was emanating from the cowshed where dry grass and cow dung were strewn all over.
Mallamma said that she was living in the cowshed for the past one year and was also having her food in the shed served to her by daughter-inlaw.
However, her son Javarappa finds no fault in keeping his mother in the cowshed. He asserts, “I have kept her in the cowshed because it is difficult for her to climb the staircase.
Who is responsible if she slips and falls while climbing the stairs?” On whether the cowshed is fit for a human to stay, he retorts: “I have not deserted or disowned my mother like many others do.
We are seven children in total, three sons and four daughters and it is I who opted to take care of her. Two days ago when she fell ill, I took her to a clinic and got her medicine,” he added. Nazarbad Police are inquiring into the matter.