UP horror: Retired railway officer tortured to death, disabled daughter starved for 5 years by caretakers

The victim, Omprakash Singh Rathore (70), a retired senior railway clerk, had been living with his 27-year-old daughter Rashmi, who is mentally challenged, after the death of his wife in 2016.

According to the family, Omprakash moved into a separate house and hired Ram Prakash Kushwaha and his wife, Ramdevi, to look after him and his daughter.

Relatives allege that the caretakers gradually took complete control of the house, confining Omprakash and Rashmi to rooms on the ground floor while they themselves lived upstairs.

The family claims the father and daughter were deprived of food, medical care and other basic necessities.

Omprakash’s brother, Amar Singh, said the caretakers actively prevented relatives from meeting the victims.

The abuse came to light on Monday when the family was informed of Omprakash’s death. When relatives reached the house, they were confronted with a disturbing scene. Omprakash’s body was severely emaciated, while Rashmi was found naked in a dark room, extremely weak and malnourished.

A relative, Pushpa Singh Rathore, said Rashmi’s condition was shocking. “Her body looked like that of an 80-year-old due to starvation. There was no flesh left, only bones. She was barely clinging to life,” she said.

Doctors at the hospital declared Omprakash dead on arrival. Police took custody of the body and sent it for post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.

Neighbours expressed shock over the incident, recalling Omprakash as a dignified man who was always neatly dressed in a suit and tie. Rashmi is currently under the care of her family, who have demanded the strictest possible punishment for the accused.

Police have launched an investigation into the allegations and are examining the role of the caretakers in the prolonged abuse and death.