In a shocking incident in Kerala, a brother and sister duo, Mylakkal Saji (55) and Siji (50), are set to lose their jobs and face legal consequences for abandoning their 76-year-old mother, Annakutty Mathew, on her deathbed. The incident has led to the registration of a case under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
Annakutty, who lived alone in a rented house in the Attapallam colony near Kumily in Idukki, was admitted to Kottayam Medical College and Hospital, 112 km away, with the help of police, locals, and ward members. Despite her critical condition, her children allegedly abandoned her during treatment.
The police, including Sub-inspector Lijo P Mani, repeatedly contacted Saji, who works as a collection agent for the Kumily branch of Kerala Bank, urging him to care for his ailing mother. Shockingly, Saji claimed he couldn’t leave his house because he had to “feed his dog.”
Annakutty Mathew passed away on Saturday morning at the hospital, leading to her last rites being conducted on the same day. Saji, along with hundreds of locals and dignitaries, paid his respects at the funeral. However, Siji did not attend the final rites.
Following the incident, a case was filed against the siblings under section 24 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. This section stipulates punishment, including imprisonment for up to three months or a fine of up to five thousand rupees or both, for those responsible for the care of a senior citizen who abandon them.
Panchayat officials have initiated the process to dismiss Siji, a temporary employee of Kumali Panchayat, from her position. The Kumily branch of Kerala Bank has also sought a report from the police, indicating that Saji is likely to be dismissed from his job as well.
Sources suggest that the son’s alleged resentment towards his mother for not sharing money earned from selling her land may have played a role in the abandonment. Saji’s attendance at the funeral is speculated to be an attempt to avoid legal repercussions.
