Kottayam: There is mystery after three inmates of a destitute home at Changanassery here in the district died within one week.

Suspicions were raised after the third inmate died on Saturday. Moreover, six more inmates are undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The deceased were inmates of ‘Puthujeevan’, a destitute home located at Thrikkodithanam in Changanassery, here in the district. Most of the inmates in the destitute home, run by a retired police officer, are mentally unstable.  

Post-mortem report of the first inmate who died, a native of Erumeli, stated pneumonia as the cause of death. Following this, two more inmates died.

Following the three deaths, health department officials including the District Medical Officer (DMO) held inspections at the destitute home.

Health department officials are of the preliminary assumption that infections caused by continuous usage of medicines led to the deaths. Stating that nothing suspicious was found inside the destitute home, health officials added that investigations are ongoing.

The post-mortem of the third inmate who died was being held on Saturday afternoon. After the autopsy, the internal organs will be sent for chemical tests.

Local residents had levelled allegations against the destitute home earlier. The deaths occurred after the allegations surfaced.