Minor daughter performs father's last rites as her brother refuses

A son refused to perform his father's last rites, who had committed suicide by hanging at Aswaraopeta in the Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana. Later, his 10-year-old daughter came forward and did the last rites of her beloved father.

Hyderabad: A son refused to perform his father's last rites, who had committed suicide by hanging at Aswaraopeta in the Bhadradri Kothagudem district of Telangana. Later, his 10-year-old daughter came forward and did the last rites of her beloved father.

The deceased, Lingishetty Neelachalam has been living with his wife, a 16-year-old son, and a 10-year-old daughter. He used to run a hair salon for livelihood. However, due to the Covid crisis, the shop was closed. Even after the relaxation of lockdown, there were no customers to his saloon. Eventually, he was forced to close his shop. To feed his family, he started to take loans from neighbours and relatives. Gradually the debts mounted and reached lakhs of rupees.

Neelachalam asked his son to look after his family. But his 16-year-old son was habituated to roaming around like a free bird without any responsibility and didn't understand his father's dire financial condition. Neelachalam approached the police and asked them to provide counselling to his son. The police responded to his request and asked his son to share family burden and be more responsible. However, the boy refused to mend his ways. Due to the burden of rising debts and irresponsible son, Neelachalam felt helpless. He eventually went into depression and on Thursday, took the extreme step by hanging himself when there was no one at home.

Later, Neelachalam's family, relatives and locals asked his son to perform his father's last rites, but he refused. So, they had to ask his 10-year-old daughter to perform last rites. The girl cried a lot while following the customs and rituals but she did her duties, which should have been done by her irresponsible brother.