The Allahabad High Court expressed its shock on Wednesday over the treatment of an elderly couple by their son and daughter-in-law.
A Bench of Justices Saumitra Dayal Singh and Donadi Ramesh ordered the formation of a committee after discovering that the senior citizens were severely restricted, with limited or no access to necessities such as sanitation and food.
“Glaring facts have been brought before us. The petitioners, who are senior citizens living in the heart of the city Prayagraj, have made specific and direct allegations of extreme and abject violation of their basic fundamental rights as well as their rights as senior citizens. The violators are none other than their own son and daughter-in-law. The plight suffered by the petitioners has been continuous over the last few years,” the Court observed.
The High Court decided to entertain the couple’s plea for relief instead of making them approach the concerned District Magistrate first.
“Since no effective order may be passed at an ex parte stage and since time is of the essence, we constitute a committee of the District Magistrate, Prayagraj; Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj; and Chief Medical Officer, Prayagraj, who will visit the residential premises of the petitioners today before 8:00 p.m,” the July 3 order stated.
The committee was directed to ensure that the senior citizens have adequate access to their entire property and to guarantee their safety and peaceful existence.
“If required, the Commissioner of Police may post necessary personnel at the residence of the petitioners. The Chief Medical Officer shall conduct a complete medical checkup of the petitioners and ensure that adequate medical help is available to them through phone call or other means as needed,” the Court added.
The committee was also asked to gather information from neighbors and submit a report in a sealed cover.
The matter will be taken up next on Friday, July 5.
Advocates Ayush Mishra, Kuldeepak Bahri, and Sunil Kumar Misra represented the elderly couple.
Advocate Vishal Singh appeared for the Uttar Pradesh government.
