In a heart-rending incident from Etah district, an eight-year-old boy was left to manage the postmortem formalities of his mother all by himself after she died of an HIV-related infection, until local police intervened to assist him.
Child reaches morgue alone
Police said the boy, identified as Shani, accompanied his mother’s body to the morgue for postmortem examination, telling hospital authorities that he had no one else with him. His mother, Neelam (40), wife of Surendra, died during treatment at Virangana Avantibai Medical College on Thursday.
At the time of her death, only Shani was present with her at the hospital.
Mother battling HIV-related complications
According to Jalesar Circle Officer Ritesh Thakur, Neelam had been suffering from complications related to HIV infection for nearly a month. She had been staying at her parental home in Farrukhabad for treatment before returning to her native village Nagla Dheeraj under Jethra police station limits five days ago, as her condition worsened.
She was later admitted to the Etah medical college, where she succumbed during treatment early Thursday.
Police complete legal formalities, last rites
Hospital authorities informed the police, following which personnel were deputed to conduct inquest proceedings and complete legal formalities. Shani told police and mediapersons that he did not have contact numbers of any relatives and could not seek help on his own.
His elder sister, Rakhi (15), lives with their maternal grandparents in Farrukhabad’s Narayanpur village. With the help of villagers, Neelam’s father was informed, while police also alerted her in-laws, who arrived later.
At the morgue, the child broke down repeatedly, saying he had brought his mother alone and had no support. He also alleged threats from relatives over a land dispute.
Family’s fragile future
Police confirmed that Neelam’s husband Surendra had died around eight months ago while undergoing treatment for HIV infection. Chief Medical Officer Rajendra Prasad said both parents were HIV-positive, adding that only medical tests could determine the children’s health status.
The station house officer said all arrangements for Neelam’s last rites were made by the police, and the cremation was conducted around 1 pm in the presence of family members, villagers and police personnel.
Officials stated the family is extremely poor, with no earning member left, and the children’s only support now appears to be their maternal relatives.