Mumbai Horror: Elderly Woman With Cancer Found Dumped in Garbage Pile by Grandson
Mumbai, Maharashtra – In a deeply disturbing incident that has sparked public outrage and attracted the attention of human rights authorities, an elderly woman suffering from cancer and mental health issues was found abandoned in a garbage pile in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony by her own family. Her grandson and two other relatives have been booked under serious charges, but no arrests have been made so far.
The victim, 60-year-old Yashoda Gaikwad, was discovered early Saturday morning in a severely weakened state amidst a garbage heap near Dargah Road. According to authorities, she had visible injuries and was suffering from basal cell carcinoma, a form of skin cancer. She was immediately taken to Jogeshwari Trauma Care Hospital and later shifted to Cooper Hospital, where she is currently receiving medical attention.
🧑⚖️ Case Details: A Web of Lies Unraveled
Initially, Ms. Gaikwad’s grandson Sagar Shewale claimed that his grandmother had left home on her own. However, after a thorough investigation and review of CCTV footage from the hospital premises, police discovered glaring inconsistencies in the family’s account.
The footage showed Shewale and his uncle, Babasaheb Gaikwad, bringing the elderly woman to a hospital late Friday night in an ambulance. However, they were allegedly denied admission due to unavailability of services. After failing to secure treatment, the duo returned home and shortly after, around 3:30 AM, took Ms. Gaikwad to a secluded garbage dumping ground with the help of Sanjay Kudshim, a rickshaw driver. There, they abandoned her among the garbage and fled the scene.
Police officials later confirmed that Shewale admitted to the act of abandonment during interrogation, retracting his initial false statement. This confession came after authorities confronted him with the CCTV evidence and inconsistencies in his story.
⚖️ Legal Action and Charges
The Mumbai Police have filed a case against all three individuals – Sagar Shewale, Babasaheb Gaikwad, and Sanjay Kudshim – under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (Section 125) for endangering life through negligence, and Section 24 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, for willful abandonment of a senior citizen.
Despite the seriousness of the case, no arrests have been made yet, raising further questions about the handling of crimes against vulnerable senior citizens.
🏥 Current Health Condition
Dr. Sudhir Medhekar, Dean of Cooper Hospital, confirmed that the patient was in a stable condition but suffering from ulcerative skin lesions, suspected to be cancerous. He emphasized that she is currently receiving full medical care.
Meanwhile, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Nagpur has stepped forward and offered to provide free treatment for Ms. Gaikwad, expressing solidarity and humanitarian concern for her condition.
🧓 Social and Legal Repercussions
This incident has not only shocked Mumbai but also triggered statewide condemnation. The Maharashtra Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of the case and has ordered a review. Social activists and senior citizen welfare organizations have condemned the act as inhuman and criminal, urging authorities to take swift action and introduce stricter enforcement of senior citizen protection laws.
📣 Public Reaction
Social media platforms have erupted with anger and sorrow, with many users demanding justice for Ms. Gaikwad and stricter enforcement of laws protecting the elderly. Prominent activists and public figures have called for immediate arrest of the accused and have urged the state government to ensure such heinous acts are never repeated.
🔎 Summary:
- Victim: Yashoda Gaikwad, 60, skin cancer patient
- Crime: Abandoned in garbage by grandson and relatives
- Accused: Sagar Shewale (grandson), Babasaheb Gaikwad (uncle), and rickshaw driver Sanjay Kudshim
- Charges: Section 125 BNS, Section 24 of Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007
- Status: Victim stable, admitted to Cooper Hospital; accused not arrested
- Action: MHRC reviewing case; NCI offers free cancer treatment
This tragic incident is a grim reminder of the growing neglect faced by senior citizens in our society. It demands not just outrage, but action — legal, medical, and social.
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