Camden New Journal - News: Family's anger over treatment

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Camden New Journal - by ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 9 August 2007

Family’s anger over the treatment of the elderly

THE sister of an entrepreneur whose body lay undiscovered for days, has criticised the way elderly people are treated in England.
Bhavananda Bhandari, known as Robert Cashburg by friends in England, was found dead at his home in Brook House, Cranleigh Street, Somers Town, in June.
His sister Sharada Alva who had travelled with her husband from India for his inquest, said: “We are a fond family, everybody loved him and we don’t know why he had to linger on in this cold, sad country.
“He came here and my parents were heartbroken when he left.
“He was quite determined and that’s when we lost him.”
Mr Bhandari had not been seen by neighbours for weeks, St Pancras Coroner’s Court heard on Tuesday.
Due to the extent of the decomposition of the body, pathologist Dr Freddy Patel was unable to determine the cause of death. Coroner Dr Andrew Reid returned an open verdict.
After the inquest, Mrs Alva, said her family suspected her brother’s food may have been laced with poison.
Mrs Alva spoke of her sadness at the thought of her brother dying alone.
She said: “He was dead for a couple of days and nobody noticed. There are so much closer relationships between neighbours in India. I feel so very sad. We came here last year to London and he looked very healthy. Somehow we feel there might have been foul play.”
She said her brother had come to England more than 40 years ago with a group of friends seeking their fortune.
She added: “He used to be very prosperous. He was a hoarder. Even as a youngster, at 16, he would have money in banks from his own earnings. He was someone who would accumulate money and may be a bit secretive. He was a realtor, buying and selling property and cars.”
Verdict: Open.

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