Cancer-Stricken Elderly Woman Abandoned in Aarey, Rescued by Mumbai Police

Mumbai, 26th June 2025: A 60-year-old woman battling cancer was found abandoned and barely conscious near a garbage dump in Aarey Colony on Saturday morning, allegedly left there by her own grandson.

Identified as Yashoda Gaikwad, the elderly woman was discovered by Mumbai Police officers during routine patrol. Lying helplessly near the roadside, she was in a severely weakened condition and suffering from skin cancer. According to police officials, Gaikwad was unable to move and appeared to have been left without food, water, or support for an extended period.

“When we tried to speak with her, she told us her grandson brought her here and left her,” said an officer familiar with the case. The shocking revelation has sparked outrage over the inhumane treatment of the elderly, particularly those who are seriously ill and without family support.

Despite being rescued in the morning, it took nearly the entire day to get Gaikwad admitted to a hospital. Several medical facilities reportedly refused to admit her, citing her deteriorated condition and the absence of valid identification documents. She was eventually admitted to Cooper Hospital around 5:30 p.m.

The delay in providing her with urgent medical care has raised serious concerns about the responsiveness of the healthcare system toward abandoned and vulnerable citizens.

Social activists and netizens have condemned both the abandonment and the delay in treatment, calling for stronger safeguards and support systems for the elderly, especially those suffering from terminal illnesses.

The police are now investigating the case, and action may be taken against the family member responsible for the alleged abandonment. The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for elderly care reform and stricter penalties for neglect.