Daughter holds mother captive for over 2 years in Bhopal:Elderly rescued after neighbours alerted police; victim reveals she was beaten with shoes

A 67-year-old woman, Radha Bai Saini, was rescued from her daughter Meenakshi Saini’s house in Kalpana Nagar, Bhopal. She had been held captive in appalling conditions for over two and a half years. The room was dark, filled with garbage, and her wounds were infested with maggots. Radha Bai was so weak she could barely move. Police and an NGO rescued her on 6 November after hearing her cries for help. Cry for help alerted neighbours and social workers Social worker Anil Shewani, who lives nearby, heard Radha Bai shouting, “Police, save me.” He had noticed signs of trouble before but ignored them. This time, he immediately informed the police and the Laxmi Narayan Club NGO. When the rescue team reached the house, Meenakshi refused to open the door. Radha Bai’s pleas could be heard inside. After a 15–20 minute struggle, the team finally gained entry. Horrific conditions inside the house The two-storey house was in ruins. Garbage covered the lower floor, and a foul stench reached the main gate. Windows and doors were broken, and walls were covered in black dampness. Radha Bai was sitting on a plastic sheet amidst old clothes and filth. Her feet were swollen and partially rotten, with worms crawling in the wounds. She had defecated inside the room due to her inability to move. She continuously cried, “Police save me, police save me.” Daughter’s allegations and neighbours’ account Meenakshi accused neighbours and her brother, Ajay Saini, of conspiring against her. She claimed they had sold household items and wanted to harm her mother. Neighbours, however, said Meenakshi had mental health issues. They claimed she sold household items herself. After her husband’s death over two years ago, Meenakshi reportedly started torturing Radha Bai. Ajay Saini, her brother, is also mentally unwell and survives by begging. Black magic suspicions and strange behaviour Neighbours suspected Meenakshi of practising black magic. She reportedly roamed late at night, threw worship items away, and destroyed idols and family pictures. Investigators noted cross marks on walls, black threads on her fingers, and strange figures drawn on her hands. Meenakshi also had a yellow tilak on her forehead. Social workers noted these actions could indicate mental illness, but black magic could not be confirmed. Physical abuse and negligence by ambulance service Radha Bai had previously undergone knee surgery and could not walk properly. During the rescue, a 108 ambulance arrived over an hour late. She was first taken to JP Hospital and then referred to Hamidia Hospital for treatment due to her critical condition. Radha Bai tearfully told police that Meenakshi often refused her food and beat her with shoes. Expert opinion on mental illness Psychologist Satyakanth Trivedi said Meenakshi’s behaviour suggested serious mental illness, likely psychosis. He explained that psychosis can distort reality, make a person suspicious of others, and isolate loved ones. It may also lead to unusual or illogical actions, such as black magic practices. Care for mother and future of daughter SI Anand Singh Parihar of Piplani police station said Radha Bai will continue treatment and later be moved to an old age home. Neighbours refused legal action against Meenakshi due to her mental health condition. MP tops in crimes against the elderly According to the 2023 NCRB report, Madhya Pradesh leads in crimes against elderly people. Experts note that many elderly people do not report crimes due to family or social pressure. ​