Hyderabad: A moving gesture, local residents on Thursday performed the last rites of an orphan

Patancheru: In a humanitarian gesture, local residents on Thursday performed the last rites of Bachupalli Anand (70), an orphan, who worked for years as the watchman of St Mary's Grammar High School, Isnapur. He was found sick in a building near Trishul Restaurant by some school students, who conveyed the news to the management.

School principal William James and TRS SC Cell mandal unit president Banda Raju reached the building and sent Anand in 108 ambulance to the government hospital in Sangareddy. He died on Tuesday night while undergoing treatment.

The Patancheru police took possession of his mobile phone and contacted his relatives; but they could not secure details of the relatives. They telephoned Isnapur leaders seeking their cooperation in conducting the last rites, with a promise to release an official sanction letter.

With the cooperation and financial assistance of Banda Raju, William James, and several Muslim elders, the body was shifted to Isnapur and the last rites conducted. It is learnt that Anand had told some Muslim elders that he belonged to their faith and that his funeral to be conducted according to that faith. Hence, his rites were held as per Muslim practices.

Following illness, he had settled his accounts and left the institution last month.