Kollam man keeps mother's body for three days, performs rituals

KOLLAM: A 60-year-old man allegedly kept his 90-year-old mother's body inside their home for three days, performing rituals and burning incense before neighbours grew suspicious and alerted relatives, leading to the discovery on Friday night, police said.

The deceased was identified as Chinnathamma (90), who lived with her son, Krishnaswamy, at the RPL 2F Quarters in Koovakkad, Kulathupuzha. Krishnaswamy, a Rehabilitation Plantation worker who is separated from his wife, had been living alone with his mother.

Police said Chinnathamma had been ailing and had not been seen outside the house for about two weeks. Over the past three days, neighbours noticed the continuous smell of burning incense coming from the quarters, while Krishnaswamy also remained indoors, raising their suspicions.

Concerned by the unusual circumstances, neighbours contacted Chinnathamma's granddaughter on Friday evening. She, accompanied by panchayat member Chandrakumar, entered the house and found the elderly woman's body lying in a bedroom, covered with a cloth.

Investigators found incense sticks burning in different parts of the room and evidence that rituals had been performed. Police believe the body had remained in the house for about three days, with the burning incense masking any foul odour.

Kulathupuzha police registered a case of unnatural death and shifted the body to Parippally Medical College Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Krishnaswamy's statement was recorded before he was released. Police said he would be admitted to a hospital after his mother's funeral.
Preliminary findings indicate that Chinnathamma died of natural causes and that there was no foul play, police said.