Mahesh Chand Joshi had no idea how to break the news of his elder brother Vipin Joshi’s death to their family back in Bageshwar, Uttarakhand. Vipin’s dismembered body was found inside a colleague’s fridge on Saturday.
Mahesh had been searching for Vipin for nearly a week and kept the family apprised of every development. When the body was finally found, Mahesh had no idea how to tell their mother or younger brother.
“I just did not know how to tell them. My younger brother was quite inquisitive. I talked to him after the body was found but could not muster the courage to tell him. All I could do was delay the news as long as possible,” said Mahesh.
‘Regret my decision’
However, the family came to know about Vipin’s brutal death through news reports.
“I got a call from my brother in the morning...My mother asked why I didn’t tell her. I told her it seemed like the right thing to do at that time. It wasn’t. I regret my decision now,” said Mahesh.
This is the second tragedy to have befallen the family. Twenty-five years ago, their father, a daily wage labourer, died after he returned to work a couple of days after a surgery.
“He went against medical advice as he had many mouths to feed. He lifted heavy objects, collapsed and never got up. Because of his death, Vipin had to assume a more responsible role at a young age. He started working immediately after finishing school,” said Mahesh.
