Several undertrials have been locked behind the gates of the Thane mental hospital for decades. File pic

Imagine being locked away for decades, neglected by the government and forgotten by your family. This is the fate of Raghu Patil, who was sent to the Regional Mental Hospital, Thane, after insanity drove him to murder his wife. Forty years later, Patil is still there, in the prison ward of the hospital, even though his trial was never completed. Long abandoned by his family members and with no legal recourse, Patil could very well languish there till the end of his days, unseen and unheard.