In a deeply disturbing case of alleged exploitation and cruelty from Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh, a retired railway employee and his mentally ill daughter were reportedly confined and starved in their own home for a grueling five years. The shocking neglect, allegedly orchestrated by a servant couple driven by greed for property, only surfaced following the tragic death of the father, revealing horrifying conditions within the residence.
The Sinister Plan of Confinement
The ordeal began after the death of his wife in 2016. 70-year-old retired senior clerk Omprakash Singh Rathore moved into a separate house with his 27-year-old daughter, Rashmi. To assist them, Omprakash hired a servant couple, Ramprakash Kushwaha and his wife Ramdevi, both residents of Charkhari. According to distraught family members, the couple slowly and systematically seized control of the household.
Omprakash and Rashmi were forced into the lower rooms of the house, while the servants comfortably occupied the upper floors. Over a period of two years, the father and daughter were completely cut off from the outside world. When concerned relatives came to visit, the servant couple allegedly spun lies, claiming that Omprakash and Rashmi did not wish to meet anyone. Trusting this excuse, the relatives would leave, completely unaware of the sinister reality unfolding behind closed doors.
Extreme Neglect and Starvation
Inside the confined space, the father and daughter faced unimaginable suffering. They were reportedly starved and denied even basic care. The prolonged neglect and severe lack of food ultimately led to the death of Omprakash. His daughter, Rashmi, survived but was found in a state of extreme malnutrition. Relatives described her body as reduced to a 'skeletal frame', appearing much older than her 27 years and so weakened she could barely breathe.
Greed for Property as the Motive
The family alleges that the servant couple executed this cruel plan with a clear and calculated motive: to seize Omprakash's property and bank balance. In a brazen act, they reportedly even installed a nameplate outside the house, falsely declaring themselves as the heirs of the deceased man, showcasing their intent to claim ownership.
Discovery and Police Investigation
The grim truth was uncovered only after Omprakash's death, when relatives finally managed to access the house. Police were swiftly called to the scene. They took custody of the body for a postmortem and launched a full investigation into the alleged confinement and starvation. CO City Arun Kumar Singh confirmed that the postmortem report would reveal the extent of the neglect and assured that every aspect of the case was being thoroughly examined.
"This was a planned act," said the relatives, still reeling from the horror. "If they had not been allowed to meet anyone, a complaint could have been filed with the police—but it was not done. This betrayal is unimaginable." The case has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting a terrifying instance of exploitation and the vulnerability of the elderly and unwell.
