The Machavaram police on Sunday arrested Pothuraju Anjaiah alias Yesu, and his wife P. Mary Nirmala Rani, who allegedly chained Anjaiah’s mother, Prakasamma, to a cot on the rooftop at Bethlahem Nagar in Gunadala.
The 70-year-old woman was detained in the hot sun and was denied proper food and water. She was also thrashed, local people complained.
On receiving information, staff of the Women Development and Child Welfare (WD&CW) Department along with the Machavaram police rushed to the house and rescued Prakasamma. They shifted her to an NGO home.
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Central Zone Assistant Commissioner of Police N. Satyanandam and Machavaram circle inspector Saherunnissa visited the house and enquired about the behaviour of the family members towards the old woman and the alleged torture.
Philanthropist’s gesture
“Instructions have been given to register cases against Anjaiah and his wife for torturing Prakasamma. A philanthropist has come forward to bear the expenses for the care of the septuagenarian,” Police Commissioner D. Gautam Sawang said.
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Ms. Saherunnissa told The Hindu that the accused were arrested under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, Section 341 IPC (wrongful restraint) and Section 323 IPC (voluntarily causing hurt).
“We enquired about the health condition of Prakasamma with the shelter home organisers. She has been taking food and is doing well,” the Circle Inspector said.
“Anjaiah, a mason, sold away a piece of land owned by his mother and is even enjoying her old age pension. He had confined her on the rooftop of the building for 40 days. He had chained her to prevent her from going out of the home,” Saherunnissa said.
CP’s warning
Mr. Sawang warned that severe action would be taken against those who harassed or ill-treated aged parents and elders in the family.
“People who notice cruelty to aged persons are requested to dial 100,” he said.