An elderly, visually challenged couple lived with the body of their 30-year-old son for four days, unaware that he was dead. The traumatic situation would probably have continued if the couple's neighbours in Hyderabad's Blinds Colony had not noticed a foul smell emanating from the house and called the police on Monday.
Officials said that the man, Kaluva Ramana - a retired government employee - and his wife, Shantikumari, were living in the rented apartment with their younger son, Pramod. The 30-year-old had been deserted by his wife, who took both their daughters with her, and he was allegedly an alcoholic, news agency IANS reported.
The station head officer of Nagole police station, Surya Nayak, said Ramana and Shantikumari were both over 60 years old and tried calling out to Pramod for food and water, but did not get any response. Their voices were feeble and that is probably why their neighbours could also not hear them, he said.
Police officials said Ramana and Shantikumari were in a semi-conscious state when they reached the house. They were rescued and given food and water.
Mr Nayak said Pramod probably died in his sleep four to five days ago and his body has been sent for a post-mortem.
After Ramana and Shantikumari were rescued, their elder son, Pradeep - who lives in another part of the city - was informed and they were entrusted to his care.