Chennai: A 60-year-old bed-ridden woman was left to live with her dead younger sibling for the past four days till their maid, on Saturday alerted neighbours after of foul smell emanating from the house on Saturday. Govindammal, (55), residing on Wall Tax road, was tending to her elder sister Uma, (60), who is confined to her bed for the past 10 years. Selvi, their maid, had been returning without any work since Tuesday, as Govindammal did not answer the door.
On Saturday, Selvi turned up for work and was about to leave when she picked up the stench, and alerted shopkeepers, who in turn sought the help of Elephant Gate police station. Cops broke into the house to find Govindammal dead and Uma waiting for someone to come through the door, which was locked from inside. “After feeding Uma on Monday night, Govindammal reportedly complained of a headache at around 9 pm. She popped a pill, and crashed into her bed. Uma’s attempt to wake her up turned futile that night, and Uma thought Govindammal was sound asleep until Tuesday evening. Though Uma realised that Govindammal is dead, she could not alert anyone. The lone mobile phone was with Govindammal,” said an official privy to the investigation.
Had Uma been able to get near her dead sister, she could have got help from their younger sister Suganthi who lives in Rajapalayam, or neighbours. Uma and Govindammal were living off the rent they get from the three shop-commercial building adjoining their cramped house. The cops are awaiting post-mortem results to rule out foul play.
