Sai Sri, a promising life was snuffed out on 14 May 2017 in Vijayawada’s Durgapuram locality. The 13-year-old’s father allegedly refused to pay for her medical treatment and the little girl succumbed to cancer. Her mother Suma Sri has laid the blame squarely on her former husband. Sai Sri battled Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a type of blood cancer that tampers with blood cells, and platelets. Days before she died, her selfie video appeal to her father, where she is seen pleading for monetary help, to pay for her medical treatment, went viral on social media.
In one of the videos sent to her father, the 13-year-old says her hands have swollen and that she needs urgent medical care. She then raises her swollen hands, marked by purple blotches. All of this, however, had failed to move her father.
Suma has alleged that the girl's father let her die, because he wanted control over their present residence in Vijayawada, which was under Sai's name. Because the father had signed up as the guardian, Suma claimed that he would have complete control of the house if Sai died. Read the full story here.
Sai Sri’s father Siva Kumar had reportedly abandoned her mother around eight years ago. He then moved to Bangalore. Sai Sri was diagnosed with a deadly form of cancer in August 2016.
According to Vijayawada DCP, Pala Raju, the couple had bought the property before separating. Siva Kumar learnt of Suma Sri’s plans to sell the flat for Sai Sri’s treatment and allegedly sent local TDP goons to throw the mother and daughter out. On receiving a complaint, Vijaywada police handed the flat back to Suma Sri, and even arranged for her terminally-ill daughter’s treatment at a local government hospital.
Sai Sri’s death, coupled with a string of videos have now attracted the attention of the State Human Rights Commission.
Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
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