Elderly woman homeless after demolition drive, Mumbai cop raises funds, arranges shelter

A 65-year-old woman arrived at the Sakinaka police station on May 15, looking for a roof over her head after the dispensary she called home and worked at was demolished in an anti-encroachment drive.

Going out of his way to help the elderly woman, a police sub-inspector (PSI) from Sakinaka police station, Mumbai, raised over Rs 25,000 and also found a shelter for the old lady.

Around 250 police officers made the contribution and helped PSI Nilesh Bhalerao, 32, raise the fund for the elderly woman.

After arriving at the police station, Lata Shivraj Singh Pardeshi narrated her story to the officer.

Almost 30 years ago, she lost her husband. After which, her only son was killed in a road accident. She had nowhere to go after her daughter-in-law refused to take her in. For the last 20 years, Pardeshi worked as a sweeper at Chachad Hospital in Moily village. The hospital provided her food and shelter. But a couple of days ago, the civic body demolished the hospital, leaving Pardeshi homeless, according to a report in mid-day.

Touched by her story, Bhalerao looked after the woman's food and arranged logding for her in police station. Meanwhile, he managed to find a shelter for the woman at old age home run by Samajik Vikas Sanshta in Karjat.

The police station staff have planned to open a bank account in Lata Padeshi's name so that they can raise more money to help her.