Retired Jamia music teacher rescued, wife found dead; intellectually disabled son trapped in flat

A 65-year-old woman was found dead in a decomposed state in her Jamia Nagar apartment, while her husband, a retired music teacher from Jamia Millia Islamia, was rescued in critical condition, police said on Monday.

Imran, alias Shally, the couple’s son, aged approximately 50, who has an intellectual disability and a history of psychiatric illness, was also inside the house, police said, adding that he was speaking from inside but did not open the door.

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“We received a PCR call at around 11.10 pm on Sunday, reporting that a body had been found at Gaffar Manzil in Jamia Nagar. The caller informed us that his sister and brother-in-law were not responding, and their son was not opening the door,” a senior officer said.

With this information, police reached the crime scene and broke open the door. Inside, they found the decomposed body of Aftab Jehan on the bed, while her 70-year-old husband, Siraz Khan, was lying beside her in a fragile state. He was immediately taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre for treatment.

“During questioning, the son was unable to speak comprehensively and repeatedly told the officers that his parents were sleeping. He had confined himself to the flat for three to four days without food and could not call for help,” said Hemant Tiwari, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast).

Prima facie, the woman appears to have died a natural death due to illness. The body was extensively decomposed, with no visible wounds found. The exact cause of death will be ascertained after autopsy.

For a few days, the couple’s daughter, residing in Hong Kong, tried to get in touch with her family by calling them multiple times. After failing to reach them, she asked her maternal uncle, W Ahmed Khan, a local resident, to check on them. He ultimately placed the PCR call.

Police stated that Imran was initially admitted to IHBAS Hospital in Shahdara and later transferred to GTB Hospital, as no relatives came forward to accompany him.

“The crime team, along with the forensics experts, was called to the spot to inspect the spot, and proceedings under Section 176 of BNSS are being conducted,” said DCP Tiwari.