Kukatpally family conducts funeral after days of prayers for deceased

In Kukatpally’s Ramakrishna Nagar, a family kept the body of 46-year-old Shailaja at home for four days, hoping prayers would revive her. Police intervened, counselled the family, and the body was sent to Andhra Pradesh for last rites.

Hyderabad: The tense situation in Ramakrishna Nagar in Kukatpally remained under control, a day after a family kept the body of a deceased woman at their home for four days, allegedly believing that prayers would revive her.

Police said the family has now shifted the body to their native place in Andhra Pradesh and completed the last rites.

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The woman, identified as Shailaja (46), had been undergoing treatment for a chronic illness and passed away on February 13. Her body was brought to their rented flat at Sri Sai Bharadwaj Apartments and preserved in a freezer.

Instead of proceeding with funeral arrangements, the family reportedly continued prayers, expressing faith that she would be brought back to life. As days passed and a foul smell began emanating from the apartment, concerned neighbours alerted the police.

Upon reaching the spot, officers counselled the family about legal and public health concerns. After initial arguments, the family agreed to conduct the funeral.

The police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and that no criminal case has been registered.

Residents said the family largely kept to themselves and rarely interacted with others in the building.

While the episode caused anxiety among neighbours, police said the issue has now been amicably resolved.