In a harrowing incident that has shaken Mumbai, a 60-year-old woman battling cancer was discovered lying in a heap of garbage on Sunday morning in Aarey Colony. Weak, disoriented, and visibly in pain, she whispered to rescuers that her own grandson had abandoned her there.
The woman, identified as Yashoda Gaikwad, suffers from an advanced form of skin cancer—specifically, basal cell carcinoma. Residents who found her near a garbage dump immediately informed the police. What followed was not just a tragedy of familial betrayal but also a damning reflection of the healthcare system’s inertia.
A Cry for Help, Ignored
Despite being discovered around 8:30 a.m., Gaikwad was reportedly denied admission by multiple hospitals throughout the day. It wasn’t until nearly 5:30 p.m. that Cooper Hospital in Juhu agreed to admit her. By that time, she had spent hours exposed to the elements, her wounds untreated and her dignity stripped.
The hospital’s dean, Dr. Sudhir Medhekar, confirmed that the patient had ulcerated cancerous growths on her nose and cheek but added that her vitals were stable. “She is being treated with utmost care,” he said.
A Fractured Home
Gaikwad provided the police with two addresses—Malad and Kandivali—where her family members supposedly live. The Mumbai Police have begun investigating and are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby areas. Her grandson, who is suspected of abandoning her, remains untraceable. “We are pursuing all leads,” an officer at Aarey Police Station stated.
Authorities have circulated the woman’s photo across multiple stations in an effort to identify and locate her family members. The incident is being treated as a potential case of elder abuse and abandonment under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
A Mirror to Society
The story has sparked widespread public outrage across Maharashtra. Critics argue that the case reflects a growing erosion of familial responsibility toward the elderly, especially those who are ill or financially dependent. Others point to the failure of public healthcare institutions to act swiftly during emergencies.
“This isn’t just a family matter,” said one local activist. “This is a systemic failure—of healthcare, of community, and of empathy.”
A Life in Question
As Gaikwad undergoes treatment, the spotlight remains on her family and the society that failed her. While police continue their search for the grandson, the larger question persists: how did we become a city where a cancer patient could be left in a garbage dump by her own kin?
