‘Alarming, tragic situation': Haryana human rights panel flags trauma faced by neglected elderly couple
The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has intervened in the case of a 96-year-old man and his 86-year-old wife residing at a flat at Ridgewood Estate in Gurgaon's DLF City Phase-IV, allegedly neglected by their son.
The order was passed on May 29, following a complaint filed by the Ridgewood Estate Condominium Association, which stated that the couple was left with two untrained female attendants and no medical supervision. The complaint noted that the elderly man's frequent cries of pain have caused emotional distress to his wife and nearby residents, despite appeals to his son and local authorities.
HHRC chairperson Justice Lalit Batra described the situation as a violation of the couple's right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution. 'It is an alarming, tragic situation where vulnerable and elderly individuals have been left high and dry, without family support at a time when they mostly require love, care and medical intervention. Society and the State have a shared responsibility to intervene when the elderly are deprived of due care and dignity,' the Commission's order stated.
It made it clear that the failure to ensure essential medical care, emotional support and regular supervision reflected gross negligence, which amounted 'to a breach of not only the basic human rights of the senior citizens themselves but also of the larger community that has been involuntarily subjected to such trauma.'
The Commission cited the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, specifically Section 20, which mandates the state to provide healthcare services for senior citizens, including reserved hospital beds and subsidised treatment.
The order added, 'While the matter of intentional abandonment, if proven, Section 24 of the Act, 2007, envisages criminal liability for the abandonment of senior citizens by those responsible for their care, provided such abandonment is duly established during the course of investigation.'
The HHRC directed the deputy commissioner, Gurgaon, to form a medical and welfare committee, comprising the commissioner of police, sub-divisional magistrate, civil surgeon, and district social welfare officer. The order specified that the team should forthwith visit the premises and conduct a detailed medical, psychological and social assessment of both senior citizens.
'A status report of action taken for their medical treatment, long-term care or rehabilitation shall be submitted to this Commission before the next date of hearing,' it said. The case will be heard next on July 3.
Dr Puneet Arora, HHRC's protocol, information, and public relations officer, said compliance is expected from authorities, with further action to be determined based on the report.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
21 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Controversial former cop sent to judicial custody
MUMBAI: Former police officer Ranjeet Kasle, who had earlier claimed that he was offered a contract to kill Massajog sarpanch murder accused Walmik Karad, was on Monday produced at the Esplanade court and remanded in judicial custody. Kasle is accused of spreading communal hatred, defaming public officials and sharing objectionable content on social media. The NM Joshi police station had registered a first information report (FIR) against Kasle last week, based on a complaint by a Bhandup-based social activist. He was accused of posting defamatory and objectionable messages against a woman politician, and booked for publishing or circulating false information, defamation and criminal actions intended to insult the modesty of a woman under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita along with the IT Act, said police. On Friday, Kasle was arrested from Delhi and brought to Mumbai. He was produced before the court on Saturday and remanded in police custody for two days. On Monday, he was produced before the court again and remanded in judicial custody. Police officers who interrogated Kasle said he wanted to increase his followers on social media by putting up controversial posts. Kasle's viewership on social media was around 80,000 and he would start getting money once the figure crossed the 100,000-mark, he told the police. 'During interrogation, he said that does not care about police cases and will continue to put up controversial posts once he is released from judicial custody,' a police officer aware of the matter said. Kalse was suspended when he claimed that he was offered a contract to kill the main accused in the Santosh Deshmukh murder case while he was posted in Beed district. He was dismissed from service under Article 311 of the Constitution around two months ago after he uploaded videos about the supposed offer to kill Karad and other matters, said police. Kasle had worked as a sub-inspector at the DB Marg and Marine Drive police stations in Mumbai before he was transferred to Beed district. His wife is a police sub-inspector and is presently posted in Nanded.
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Thane police file charge sheets in 48 hours in three crimes against women
THANE: In a move towards ensuring speedy justice, the Thane police have taken swift action in three cases involving crimes against women. The Kolsewadi, Manpada and Bazarpeth police stations, which fall within Zone 3 of the Thane police commissionerate, have successfully completed investigations and filed charge sheets in three separate cases within 48 hours of the crimes' registration, officers said. All three cases involve sexual harassment. In the first case, the Kolsewadi police received a distress call from a hospital after a 16-year-old girl attempted suicide. Assistant police inspector (API) Suresh Narwade immediately dispatched a team to the hospital, where the girl told the police that her father had verbally abused and sexually harassed her for using a mobile phone, said an officer. The Kolsewadi police arrested the accused and booked him for sexual harassment under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012. In another case, a 30-year-old woman from Manpada in Dombivli was allegedly sexually harassed by her maternal uncle via WhatsApp messages. The woman, who has lost both parents and lives alone, was disturbed after her brother, who had moved out of the state, announced his marriage over a family WhatsApp group without personally informing her, said the police. After she expressed her hurt through a message in the group, her maternal uncle allegedly sent her vulgar and abusive replies. Initially hesitant, the woman eventually approached a lawyer friend who helped her file a police complaint. API Eknath Paulbudhe from the Manpada police station said that his team gathered crucial digital evidence, including the WhatsApp chat history, call data records and statements from both parties and witnesses, before filing a charge sheet within 48 hours. 'Recording statements immediately is key, as it captures vital details from the victim and witnesses,' said API Paulbudhe. 'Quick filing of charge sheets helps initiate and conclude trials faster, easing the burden on courts and police officers.' In the third case, a 24-year-old woman filed a complaint against her brother-in-law for sexually harassing her and threatening her family. According to the Bazarpeth police, on the evening of May 25, the accused allegedly visited the woman's house and said, 'My wife no longer lives with me. Come with me to a lodge and fulfil my desires.' He also allegedly verbally abused her and her parents. API Amol Andhale from the Bazarpeth police station registered a case under BNS sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force against woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 75 (sexual harassment), 79 (acts, gestures, or words intended to insult a woman's modesty), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace). 'Our officers have successfully filed charge sheets in three cases within 48 hours,' deputy commissioner of police (zone 3) Atul Zende. 'We are giving top priority to women-related cases, ensuring swift investigation and legal action. It is our responsibility to create and maintain a safe environment for women in our jurisdiction.' Varsha Chandane, public prosecutor at the Thane sessions court, who has been handling women-related cases, said, 'It is truly commendable to file charge sheets promptly and begin the trial immediately. This prevents the misuse of time, which often leads to witnesses turning hostile. In many cases, we've seen that by the time the trial begins—sometimes after a year or more—witnesses forget crucial details. This can ultimately benefit the accused. Such swift action must continue in order to ensure justice is delivered.'
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Man arrested for killing 1-year-old daughter
Navi Mumbai: A 40-year-old man was arrested for allegedly killing his one-year-old daughter, who was unwell and crying, out of rage on Monday. According to the police, the accused is a resident of Devmal Thakurwadi village in Pen Taluka, living with his four children including the deceased one-year-old child from his third marriage. The police said that the mother of the child parted ways with the accused for his abusive behaviour. 'He was known for his anger issues and abusive behaviour. Due to this, his third wife parted ways with him about one and a half months ago,' said the investigating officer. The police said that the incident occurred on Monday around 5 PM when the child was persistently crying as she was unwell. This enraged the accused and he allegedly slammed her head on the floor, resulting in her death on the spot, said a police officer. Witnessing this, the accused's other three children ran out to the neighbours crying for help. When the accused tried to escape the spot, the neighbours caught him and handed him over to the police, said a police officer. The accused was arrested under section 103(1) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000.
