SIVAGANGA: In what was an apparent case of elder abuse, a man left his 80-year-old bedridden mother to fend for herself in the portico of their locked house in Karaikudi with just a loaf of bread and five bottles of water, and went to Bengaluru eight days ago.
Neighbours noticed a famished Sarguru of Prabu Nagar in Karaikudi lying unconscious on a steel cot on Tuesday morning. She was immediately taken to hospital.
As she was lying motionless, neighbours initially thought she had died. It was only after the police broke open the gate of the compound wall and entered the house that they realised she was very much alive. They found Sarguru starving and clad in a saree drenched in her own urine.
Doctors at the hospital where she was admitted said her health was deteriorating due to age-related ailments. She needs hospitalisation for a few more days, they added.
Sarguru, the widow of Kathiresan, had been living with her son Rajendran, a retired government servant, and his family. Some eight days ago, Rajendran along with his family left for Bengaluru, leaving his mother in the portico. He had locked the door of the house as well as the compound gate.
Police officials said they were not able to reach Rajendran. Later a case was filed against him under Section 27 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act.
‘Not the first time she was left alone’
“At times, Rajendran would inform the neighbours to provide his mother food whenever he went outstation. But this time, he just kept a loaf of bread with a few water bottles,” the neighbours said