Hyderabad, July, 2025 — A quiet afternoon in Hyderabad’s bustling Nampally area turned into a scene straight out of a horror film when a young boy chasing a cricket ball into a long-abandoned house stumbled upon a decomposed human skeleton in the kitchen.
The house, located near the busy Nampally market, had reportedly been locked and neglected for over seven years. Local residents say it once belonged to Muneer Khan, a man who had passed away years ago, leaving the home in the care of his mentally disturbed son. Neighbours rarely saw the son, and it was widely believed that he had moved away or was institutionalized.
On Wednesday afternoon, the boy, playing cricket with friends in a narrow lane, hit the ball into the derelict property. As he ventured inside to retrieve it, he discovered something unsettling in the kitchen — what appeared to be human remains lying face down. He immediately ran outside and alerted nearby adults, who then contacted the police.
Soon, a large crowd gathered as officers from the Nampally Police Station arrived at the scene. A forensic team was also deployed. The skeleton was found lying on the ground, partially covered in dust and debris. There were no visible signs of struggle or forced entry, according to initial police assessments.
Inspector Ravi Kumar of Nampally Police told reporters, “The body was fully decomposed and skeletal. Given the state of decomposition, we believe the death occurred several years ago. There are no clear indications of foul play. However, we are not ruling out anything until a full forensic examination is complete.”
The house, though visibly dilapidated, still had some belongings scattered inside — old utensils, clothes, and a few documents. Police are working to verify the identity of the deceased. Preliminary speculation suggests the body could belong to Muneer Khan’s son, who was last seen in the locality around the time the house was shut.
Adding to the intrigue, a video filmed by one of the locals at the scene went viral on social media platforms, showing the skeleton, the broken interiors of the house, and the shocked reactions of bystanders. The video has fueled widespread public interest, with many demanding clarity and closure in this unsettling case.
Forensic experts have taken custody of the remains for autopsy and DNA testing, which could take several days. Authorities are also contacting extended family members of the Khan household for assistance in identification.
Local residents expressed shock and guilt over not checking on the property for so many years. “We thought the house was just locked and abandoned. We never imagined something so tragic might have happened inside,” said Parveen Begum, a long-time neighbor.
The case serves as a grim reminder of the isolation faced by many individuals dealing with mental illness and the often overlooked condition of neglected properties in urban areas.
As Hyderabad police continue their investigation, the community awaits answers — who was the deceased, how did they die, and how could such a tragedy go unnoticed for nearly a decade?
Source: Local police reports, eyewitness accounts, Times of India Hyderabad edition, and viral social media footage.
