Srinagar, July 20: An octogenarian couple reportedly ‘abandoned’ by their children was found dead under mysterious circumstances at Bemina here, police said on Friday.
Abdul Sattar Kundji, 85 and his wife 80 year-old Jali were found dead in “suspicious condition” at their house in Firdous Colony at Bemina locality here, they said.
The deaths came to light when neighbors observed smoke billowing out of their house at around 3.30 pm on Thursday. “After some women entered inside the house they saw the couple lying dead in the kitchen. They raised hue and cry following which some elders called the police,” eyewitnesses said. Police have started the investigation under section 174 of CrPC.
“We have already conducted the post-mortem on the bodies and the report will take some time to complete,” a police officer told Greater Kashmir. Victims Abdul Sattar and Jali, who are survived by four married daughters and a lone son, have been living separately in a modest house at Firdous Colony, Bemina for more than four years. The house they were living in has just two rooms and a kitchen. Two rooms were rented to a group of laborers while the kitchen would also suffice bedroom for the couple.
According to police, the main door of the house was open from inside. Neighbours entered easily and found both the bodies in the kitchen.
“The room was full of thick black smoke after we went inside. The electric heater was on and the tea inside was charred,” a group of women told this newspaper.
The bodies have been kept in police custody and on Friday morning they were sent for the post –mortem, police said.
According to neighbors, the couple was abandoned by their children long ago. “Their children would hardly visit them. The husband was earning by doing labor and getting some money from the rent,” they said. “We would look after them in case of illness,” the neighbors said.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 20 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST