Bengaluru Senior Living Tragedy Takes Sorrowful Turn as Daughter Refuses to Return from US
In a deeply distressing incident at a senior living community in Bengaluru, a 70-year-old man, Nageshwar Rao, allegedly killed his 63-year-old wife, Sandhya Shri, out of fear that no one would care for her after his impending death. The case has taken another sorrowful twist as the victim's only daughter, based in New Jersey, USA, has refused to fly down to India, citing personal reasons, leaving authorities and extended family to manage the aftermath.
Details of the Horrifying Incident
The tragic event occurred on the morning of February 18 at Virtuoso Apartments, a senior living community located in Bommenahalli under the Avalahalli police jurisdiction in the Whitefield division. The couple had been residing there since 2022. When police arrived at the scene, they found Rao sitting on a sofa while his wife's body lay in the kitchen. Upon questioning, Rao confessed, stating, "Yes, I killed her. Who would have looked after her after my death? I will hardly live another 2-3 years. What after my death? We don't have close relatives." This chilling admission highlights the desperation and isolation felt by the elderly couple.
Daughter's Refusal Adds to the Tragedy
Following the arrest of Nageshwar Rao, police attempted to contact the couple's daughter in New Jersey to inform her of the incident and request her presence for legal formalities. A senior IPS officer involved in the case revealed that initial communication indicated she would fly down, leading authorities to delay the autopsy and other procedures. However, she later refused, leaving the officers shocked. "We tried to convince her, stating she is the only child of the couple. The mother is dead and the father will be walking into prison. Her presence was most needed for legal as well as emotional purposes," the officer explained. Despite these efforts, she maintained that it was not possible for her to come, compounding the emotional weight of the situation.
Extended Family Steps In for Legal and Funeral Duties
With no alternative, police approached Vijay Babu, the brother-in-law of Nageshwar Rao and a resident of JB Nagar. He cooperated fully, completing all necessary legal formalities and arranging for Sandhya Shri's cremation according to their family traditions. This intervention by extended family underscores the challenges faced when immediate relatives are unavailable or unwilling to participate in such critical matters. The case has raised questions about support systems for elderly individuals in senior living communities and the legal complexities when family members are abroad.
The incident serves as a grim reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by aging populations, particularly in urban settings where isolation can lead to tragic outcomes. Authorities continue to investigate the full circumstances, while the community grapples with the emotional fallout from this heartbreaking event.
