Maggot-infested and decomposing remains of a 64-year-old retired scientist were discovered on Thursday morning at his one-room accommodation in the PUSA Complex staff quarters here, the police said on Friday.
Yashvir Sood’s siblings, who the Delhi Police claimed are mentally disturbed, were allegedly living with his body for the past few days. His older sister Kamla and younger brother Harish, both in their 60s, lived with him. All siblings are unmarried.
Foul smell
The body of Dr. Sood, who retired as principal scientist from the Nuclear Research Laboratory of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, was found in the cramped room on a folding bed.
Suspecting something was amiss due to the foul smell emanating from Dr. Sood’s residence, the neighbours raised an alarm.
“There was a terrible stench... I went to the house but Ms. Sood didn’t allow me to enter inside. So I told the security guard at the next building,” said Manju, their 30-year-old neighbour.
When Ms. Sood allegedly refused to allow the security guard to enter the premises, he called the police. The police reached the spot and found Dr. Sood’s remains.
Sent to IHBAS
The retired scientist’s siblings have been admitted to the Institute of Human Behaviour and Sciences (IHBAS), said Deputy Commissioner of Police (west) Vijay Kumar, adding that he died a natural death but the body has been sent for post-mortem.
“The post-mortem has not been conducted so far because none of the relatives have turned up. We will wait for the relatives for the next 72 hours,” he said.
Dr. Sood had retired in 2015 and lived in an apartment in E Block until he was asked to vacate it in July 2016.
Previous apartment
A former neighbour said all three siblings refused to leave the accommodation and lived on the road for eight days near their old apartment despite the rain. A sedan bought by Dr. Sood is still parked outside their old apartment.
“It’s been here ever since they left. He didn’t come to pick it up or drive,” added the former neighbours.
The siblings were given the small dilapidated quarter, located some distance away from their former accommodation. Outside the quarter was an old blue scooter, almirahs, a washing machine, a dining table, a refrigerator and a double bed, all left unattended but covered with sheets.
“It was moved here by the staffers after the Soods vacated their old flat. They never used any of these things,” added Ms. Manju.
Claiming the siblings never interacted with anyone, the neighbours said Ms. Sood would shout at people if they asked her anything and Mr. Harish Sood would roam around half-naked. Dr. Sood too hardly stepped out of the house, they alleged.
Pointing to a wooden fence around the siblings’ residence, their 51-year-old neighbour Ishwar said, “She would collect wood and break it into pieces to make a fence.”
Loud voices
The neighbours also complained of loud voices from the house all day. “They would fight with each other and even beat each other,” claimed Mr. Ishwar.
According to the police, Dr. Sood was an alcoholic and suffered from severe depression. “His mental condition was such that he hadn’t withdrawn a single penny from his pension or gratuity fund,” said Mr. Kumar.