Noida self confinement: Elder sister passes away

In an unfortunate development, Anuradha, the elder of the two sisters who were rescued from their Noida residence on Tuesday after six months of self-imposed confinement, passed away on Wednesday.

The two sisters were rescued by the police and an NGO on Tuesday in an acute state of starvation.

Anuradha and Sonali, both in their 40s, apparently became disturbed after their father passed away some years ago and their younger brother left them to fend for themselves, said the police. In the interim period, their pet dog also passed away, adding to their woes. Their mother had died earlier.

They were then admitted in a hospital in Noida.

According to a member of the Sector 59 Residents Welfare Association, "The two sisters were upset after their parents died some years ago. They had differences with their younger brother who lives separately. Their pet dog, which they were very fond of, died about six months ago, after which they became even more upset."

Usha Thakur, a social activist who accompanied the police, said the house was stinking when its door was broken open.

"There was a very bad odour coming from the sisters' bodies. While the older one was half nude, the younger sister was wearing woollen clothes in this warm weather," she claimed.

The superintendent of police said they have informed the women's younger brother and were trying to reunite him with his sisters.