Differently abled woman who spent three days with mother’s corpse dies in hospital

Mangalore Today News Network

Kundapura, May 19, 2024: A 32-year-old differently abled woman, Pragati Shetty, died in the hospital on Saturday after spending four days without food beside her deceased mother, Jayanti Shetty.

The tragic incident came to light late Thursday night in Dasanahadi of Moodugopadi. Jayanti Shetty (61), a resident of Dasanahadi Moodugopadi under the Gopadi gram panchayat limits, was found dead at home. Her daughter, Pragati, who had been without food and water for four days, was found unconscious and later died in the hospital.

The family, originally from Hengalli, had lived in Moodugopadi for 15 years. Following the death of her husband, Jayanti, who suffered from diabetes, cared for Pragati, who was mentally challenged and had recently lost a leg due to diabetes.

Neighbors noticed the house had remained closed for three days with the lights on during the day, assuming the mother and daughter were away. However, late Thursday night, a foul odor emanating from the house raised concerns. When neighbors called Jayanti’s mobile, it rang unanswered.

Alarmed, the locals informed Gopadi gram panchayat president Suresh Shetty. Upon peering through a window, Suresh Shetty and the locals were shocked to see Pragati unconscious on the floor. They alerted SI Vinay M Korlahalli, who arrived with personnel, broke down the door, and administered first aid to the weak and dehydrated woman. Pragati was then taken to a private hospital in Koteshwara, where she passed away on Saturday.

Suresh Shetty contacted Jayanti Shetty’s relatives, who were asked to come to the scene. Jayanti’s body was taken to the hospital, and her final rites were performed on Friday. Pragati was cremated on Saturday.