In a shocking incident, a 68-year-old ailing woman was left locked inside her home in Jharkhand, while her son travelled to the Kumbh Mela with his in-laws. The situation came to light four days later, on Wednesday, when the elderly woman managed to drag herself to the main gate of their Coal India quarters and knocked from inside, seeking help.
The incident took place in Sirka-Argadda ares of Ramgarh district in Jharkhand.
"A faint knocking from inside caught my attention, and when I looked through a hole in the gate, I saw Sanju Devi crying for help," said a neighbour who wished to remain anonymous.
The neighbour quickly alerted others, and together they broke the lock to rescue her. Witnesses reported that the elderly woman was severely weak and trying to chew plastic due to hunger.
Locals said that Sanju Devi's only son, Akhilesh Prajapati, who works as a Shovel Operator at Central Coalfields Limited, locked his mother inside before leaving for Prayagraj with his wife, Soni, and their children for a ritual bath at the Kumbh.
“She was frail, starving, and had severe injuries on her right leg and hand," said the neighbour, calling it disgraceful that her own son abandoned her in such a state.
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Sanju Devi's daughter, Chandni Kumari, arrived at the scene with her maternal uncle and was furious upon learning about the situation.
“My brother has always been selfish, but I never imagined he could go to this extent,” Chandni said, vowing to take legal action against him.
Her brother, Mansa Mahato, stated that Sanju Devi was unable to walk or speak and that he was unaware of Akhilesh’s plans to travel to Kumbh with his family.
Upon learning about the incident, local residents gathered at the scene, and Sanju Devi was rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
Ironically, years ago, Sanju Devi had sacrificed her own opportunity for a government job, which she was entitled to on compensatory grounds after her husband’s passing, so that her son, Akhilesh Prajapati could secure the position instead.
When contacted over the phone, Akhilesh defended himself, claiming he had made arrangements for his mother’s care before leaving.
"Since she was unwell, I didn’t take her with us to Kumbh," he stated.
Meanwhile, Krishna Kumar, the officer in charge of Ramgarh Police Station, condemned the act, calling it both inhumane and disgraceful.
"If a complaint is filed, action will be taken against the son," he confirmed.
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