Sonipat old-age home death raises concerns
Shivcharan Ramratan Gupta, a 74-year-old former textile trader originally from Mumbai, died following a prolonged illness at an old-age home in Sonipat, Haryana. His three daughters were not present at the facility when he died and attended his last rites through a video call.
Gupta lived at an old-age home operated by the Samaj Kalyan Shiksha Samiti in West Ram Nagar, Sonipat. He had moved to the facility with his wife, Meena Gupta, who died before him. Reports differ over the exact length of his stay at the home, so the duration has not been specified.
According to old-age home administrator Anand Kumar, Gupta died at around 3:30 am on Tuesday. The management contacted his three daughters following his death and informed them about the funeral arrangements.
Gupta’s eldest daughter, Anita, is a teacher living in Nepal. His second daughter, Nisha, lives in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, while his youngest daughter, Priya, resides in Mumbai. All three daughters are married and live with their respective families.
Kumar claimed that the management had informed the daughters about Gupta’s deteriorating health approximately 20 days before his death. He said they were unable to visit him during that period. This account comes from the old-age home administration, and detailed statements from the three daughters have not been publicly reported.
The incident has gained attention because Gupta reportedly dedicated much of his life to raising and educating his daughters. According to the facility’s management, he was proud of their achievements, and two of them later became teachers.
Daughters attend last rites online and send Rs 5,100
After the daughters informed the management that they could not travel to Sonipat, staff members and local residents arranged Gupta’s cremation. Anita, Nisha and Priya watched their father’s last rites through a video call from their respective locations.
Anita reportedly transferred Rs 5,100 online to help cover the funeral expenses. She also requested that the old-age home perform the last rites properly. The family later asked the management to share videos of the funeral proceedings.
The daughters initially requested that their father’s ashes be preserved. According to the old-age home administration, the family later said they could not travel to Sonipat and asked the facility to immerse the ashes in the Ganga on their behalf.
Gupta’s eyes were also donated after his death in accordance with his family’s wishes. The donation could help restore sight to people in need and became a meaningful part of his final farewell.
The case has prompted discussion about elderly isolation, changing family relationships and the difficulties faced by senior citizens living away from their children. However, conclusions about the daughters’ intentions should be avoided because the available coverage relies heavily on statements made by the old-age home administration.
