A 45-year-old woman, Cemala Lalitha, was found dead in her residence in Warasiguda nearly a week after she died due to suspected heart stroke.
Her daughters, aged 25 and 23, who were in a state of deep depression, did not inform anyone about the death until Friday, said the police. “They were in a state of shock from the death and were sleeping in a separate room. We sent them for counselling,” said the Inspector of Warasiguda Police, R. Saidulu.
Lalitha is suspected to have died of a heart stroke on January 23, but her daughters, struggling with severe mental distress and financial difficulties, remained in isolation with the body. “The situation came to light when they sought advice on performing the final rites. They were advised to seek government assistance, which led to them being directed to inform the police,” explained the officer.
The police received information about the incident and reached the rented house, where they found the decomposed body. It was subsequently shifted to Gandhi Hospital for an autopsy at around 4:30 p.m. on 30 January. The police have registered a case under suspicious death.
The family had rented a third-floor portion three months ago but had not paid rent since moving in. Previously, they resided in Manikesh Nagar, within the Osmania University limits.
The Inspector added that both daughters had jobs, with one working at a cloth shop, the other involved in event management, but their income was insufficient to sustain them. “The family had already been dealing with emotional distress following the recent death of a relative, and their struggles were compounded by the fact that their father had separated from them in 2020,” he said.
When police arrived, they found the daughters in a mentally disturbed condition. In their grief and distress, both had inflicted self-harm by cutting their hands with a knife. They were immediately provided medical attention, and their condition is reported to be stable.
Authorities are now working to provide psychological support and counselling for the sisters. Meanwhile, further investigation is underway to confirm the exact cause of Lalitha’s death. “The autopsy report will shed light on this,” concluded the officer.
(Roshini suicide prevention helpline number are: 8142020033/44 and 040 66202000/2001.)
Published – February 01, 2025 07:41 am IST