Kanpur: In a chilling case from Mahoba district, a 70-year-old retired railway clerk and his 27-year-old mentally challenged daughter were allegedly held captive and starved in their own home for nearly five years by a couple employed as domestic help. The alleged abuse came to light only after the elderly man, Omprakash Rathore, died.
Relatives who reached the house on Monday after being informed of Rathore’s death were horrified by what they found and alerted the police. Rathore’s body appeared severely shrunk, suggesting he may have died several days earlier. His daughter was discovered confined in a dark room, extremely weak and emaciated. Rathore’s body was sent for postmortem, while his daughter was admitted to hospital.
Mahoba superintendent of police Vandana Singh said the postmortem report cited chronic lung disease as the cause of death. “The deceased’s daughter, who is mentally disabled, was found in a very frail condition. Family members have levelled allegations against the domestic help. Our inquiry shows the couple had been caring for the father and daughter for the past eight years,” she said.
According to Rathore’s brother, Amar Singh, the couple was hired after Rathore’s wife died in 2016 to look after him and his daughter. He alleged that the duo, driven by greed to seize Rathore’s property, gradually took control of the house, confined the father and daughter to rooms on the ground floor, and lived comfortably upstairs.
Relatives also claimed the couple prevented any family visits, handled Rathore’s bank accounts, and even installed their own nameplate outside the house.
Police, however, said the initial probe indicated that Rathore’s relatives had not made efforts to care for him or his daughter over the years. “All allegations are being verified, and action will be taken based on the findings,” an Adhikari said.
