In a startling incident from Juinagar, Navi Mumbai, a 55-year-old software engineer locked himself inside his home for five years, isolating himself from the outside world due to severe depression and personal trauma. The man, identified as Anup Nair, was rescued this week after concerned neighbors alerted a social welfare organization.
Anup Nair, a computer programmer by profession, had completely withdrawn from society and remained confined to his apartment from 2020 to 2025. According to reports, Nair suffered a mental breakdown following a series of tragic events in his family. His mother, Purnima Nair, a retired officer from the Indian Air Force, and his father, V.P. Kuttikrishnan Nair, who worked at Tata Hospital, both passed away in 2020. Adding to his trauma, his elder brother had died by suicide nearly 20 years ago.
The cumulative grief and loss pushed Nair into deep depression and a state of isolation. Fearing death and unable to cope with his circumstances, he cut off all contact with society. For five years, he survived solely by ordering food online, never stepping out of his home. His physical and mental health deteriorated significantly, and he developed a serious foot infection. His apartment gradually turned into an unsanitary space filled with garbage, human waste, and a pervasive foul odor.
It was this unbearable stench and accumulated waste that finally raised suspicions among his neighbors. Upon investigation, they discovered that Nair had not been seen for years and was only in touch with online food delivery personnel. The neighbors promptly contacted the Social and Evangelical Association for Love (SEAL), a local NGO dedicated to mental health and social rescue missions.
SEAL members reached the apartment, rescued Anup Nair from the unhygienic conditions, and immediately began his treatment. He is currently receiving care at Shil Ashram in Panvel, where his condition is said to be stable. This incident highlights the often-overlooked mental health crisis in urban settings and underscores the need for stronger community support systems.