Mentally challenged children unaware of mother’s death in Gwalior:Stay with her body for five days, approach police to find her

Following a tip from neighbours, the police removed the body of 70-year-old retired Education Department clerk Urmila Bhadauria from her home in Gwalior’s Topi Bazar area and took it to the mortuary. She had passed away at home, and her body reportedly remained in the room for five days. During this time, her mentally challenged children — son Akhand (40) and daughter Ritu (38) — stayed with the body, believing that their mother was still alive. On Friday, the police removed the body in front of the children, but they did not step outside the house. On Saturday night, the siblings went to the Kotwali police station and told the authorities that their mother was missing and asked them to find her. Police stated that the children had been summoned to the station, after which relatives took them to their village. The children remain unaware that their mother has passed away. Neighbours noted that the siblings rarely went outside. Trash had accumulated on the roof over the years. Akhand holds a B-Tech degree, while Ritu is a science graduate. Could not understand anything for 5 days For five days, the children reportedly could not comprehend the situation. They stayed near the body, sitting and moving around it, continuing their daily routines, while the mother’s body began to decompose and attract insects. When the smell reached outside, neighbours noticed something unusual and informed the police, which led to the discovery. Urmila was married 45 years ago to Surendra Singh Bhadauria as his second wife after his first wife died during childbirth. She bore two children: Akhand Pratap Singh and Ritu Bhadauria. Family background Urmila Bhadauria had been widowed for many years. Living alone, she raised her children, providing education and support, and helped them cope with their mental challenges. The situation worsened when she fell ill and became bedridden. Her body remained in the room for about five days. The children did not know how to react, staying close to the body. They continued their daily routines while her body decomposed. Left everyone, so that children wouldn’t be mocked Over the years, whispers from relatives, societal judgment, and ridicule for her children’s mental condition had emotionally isolated her. She withdrew from relatives and society, and the family’s two-room home became their entire world, where Urmila managed the kitchen and cared for her children. Nephew said – When I went to give the card, Aunty was sick Urmila’s nephew, Dhirendra Singh Bhadauria, stated that on 28 January, he visited to deliver a wedding invitation. At that time, she was unwell. Urmila had distanced herself from relatives and neighbours for many years and did not interact with anyone outside the home. A day before the children went to the police station, officers removed their mother’s body despite their objections. On Saturday night, the children visited the Kotwali police station, insisting that their mother was missing and asking police to find her. The children remain unable to understand that their mother has died. When asked when she became unwell, they said, “Mom was sleeping. Then we slept, and after that, we don’t know where she went.” Police said – Children feel mother has gone somewhere Kotwali Station House Officer Mohini Verma said the children still believe their mother has gone somewhere. Relatives are accompanying them. In Gwalior’s Kotwali police jurisdiction, a shocking incident came to light in the Madan Mohan Market area of Dahi Mandi, where a son and daughter reportedly spent four to five days with their deceased mother’s body. The discovery was made after neighbours noticed a foul smell. Police intervened after receiving reports, and the case drew attention for the unusual circumstances surrounding the children’s inability to comprehend their mother’s death.