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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
‘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.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Haryana rights panel asks Gurugram district administration to check on ‘neglected' elderly couple
Chandigarh: The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken note of a 96-year-old man and his 86-year-old wife being allegedly abandoned and neglected by their son, Rajesh Mitra, in DLF City, Phase IV, Gurugram. Acting on a complaint submitted by residents and representatives of Ridgewood Estate Condominium Association, the commission has issued directions to the Gurugram district administration and health authorities to conduct a medical, psychological, and social assessment of the elderly couple. The complaint alleges that the senior citizens were left in a state of grave neglect, relying solely on two female attendants, without proper medical supervision. The elderly man is often heard crying out in pain, causing severe emotional trauma not just to his wife but also to other senior residents in the vicinity. Despite repeated appeals to the son and local authorities, no effective action was taken, prompting the intervention of the commission. HHRC chairperson Justice Lalit Batra (retd) expressed concern over the prolonged mental and physical suffering endured by the couple, calling it a blatant violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the fundamental right to live with dignity. He emphasized that such situations are not "private family matters", but public human rights concerns, especially when society and the state fail in their shared responsibility to protect vulnerable citizens. Justice Batra highlighted provisions under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, particularly Section 20, which obligates the state to provide adequate healthcare services to senior citizens, including reserved hospital beds, separate queues, and subsidised treatment. If intentional abandonment is established, the commission noted, criminal liability under Section 24 of the 2007 law may be invoked against the responsible party. The commission also directed the deputy commissioner, Gurugram, to constitute a multi-disciplinary medical and welfare committee, comprising the commissioner of police, local sub-divisional magistrate, civil surgeon, and the district social welfare officer (also designated as maintenance officer under Section 20 of the 2007 law). This team is instructed to visit the residence and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the couple's physical, emotional, and social condition, said the commission, which has sought a status report and long-term action plan for the couple's treatment, care, and rehabilitation before the next hearing on July 3. MSID:: 121536856 413 |
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Haryana human rights body seeks report on spike in abductions
Gurugram: Alarmed by the sharp spike in the number of missing people and kidnapping cases across Haryana, the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken suo moto cognizance of the matter and issued a notice to the state's top police officer, officials aware of the development said. The HHRC has asked its director (investigation) to obtain a detailed report from the Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Singh Kapur (Haryana). The report must provide the status of missing persons, kidnappings, and homicide cases from 2021 to 2025, including age-wise data, investigative progress, and steps taken for prevention. The DGP has been given eight weeks to submit the report. The commission's action follows a news report published on April 22 highlighting that over 4,100 people had gone missing in the first quarter of 2025 alone—an average of more than 45 people each day. More than 1,000 kidnapping cases were also registered during the same period, alongside a surge in incidents of murder and culpable homicide. Terming the figures, a serious breach of public safety, the commission—comprising chairperson Justice Lalit Batra, and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia—stated that the situation amounts to prima facie violations of fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life, liberty, and personal security under Article 21 of the Constitution and Articles 3, 7, 9, and 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). 'The increasing number of unresolved disappearances and rising cases of violence clearly indicate a lapse in the preventive and investigative responsibilities of the state,' the commission observed. It also emphasised the profound emotional trauma endured by families, especially those who live in the dark about whether their missing loved ones are alive or dead. HHRC's protocol and public relations officer Dr Puneet Arora, said that the commission had noticed that missing people—especially women, children and economically vulnerable individuals—are at heightened risk of exploitation, including human trafficking, bonded labour, sexual abuse, and even illegal organ trade. Many disappearances, it noted, later turn out to be heinous crimes such as ransom killings or homicides. 'Failure to act promptly facilitates the spread of organised crime and severely undermines the rule of law,' he said. 'The numbers don't just reflect crime—they represent families torn apart, children missing, and citizens losing faith in the system meant to protect them. This is no longer just a policing issue—it is a human rights emergency,' said Dr Arora. The commission has listed the matter for further hearing on July 31, 2025.
Hans India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Haryana rights panel orders crackdown on mining mafias
Observing no more tolerance for mining mafias, the Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu cognisance of the unchecked and illegal mining activities ongoing in Panchkula district in Haryana and ordered a crackdown. Massive illegal mining operations in areas including Pinjore-Nalagarh Road, Mallah Road, Raipur Rani, Morni, Barwala, and Chandi Mandir have created serious threats to law and order, the environment, and public safety. Despite recent arrests of police and officials from other departments for their alleged collusion in illegal mining cases in Panchkula, large-scale illegal mining continues unabated in the district. The situation became even more alarming when Sub-Inspector Rajbir Singh, in charge of the Amravati police post, was chased and threatened by illegal miners while performing his duty. This incident highlights a complete breakdown of law and order and the endangerment of public officials. The full Bench of the Commission, comprising Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra, and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, highlighted serious concerns like illegal mining is taking place in prohibited zones, especially within five km of hilly areas and near riverbeds, and large-scale environmental destruction is occurring, including deforestation, damage to water sources, comprising tube wells, and erosion of village lands. The commission noted that despite repeated complaints from villagers and elected representatives, municipal and district administrations have failed to act. Also, law enforcement personnel attempting to intervene are being directly threatened and violently attacked. It observed that there is apparent institutional negligence, possibly due to corruption or collusion with mining mafias. According to Justice Batra, the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution includes the right to a clean and safe environment. Illegal mining has directly caused ecological destruction, pollution, and damage to agricultural land and water sources, violating citizens' right to livelihood and a life of dignity. Furthermore, threats and attacks against law enforcement officials infringe upon their right to safety and professional integrity.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
7 years gone, yet no land earmarked for juvenile home, panel pulls up Gurgaon administration
Gurgaon: Haryana Human Rights Commission on Wednesday pulled up the district administration and officials, saying it was "alarming" that authorities could not even identify land to set up a juvenile home despite directions being issued seven years present, there is only one such facility in south Haryana – in Faridabad. Other than Gurgaon, this facility also houses minors in conflict with law from Rewari, Palwal, Nuh, Narnaul and in 2018 took suo-motu cognizance of the issue and subsequently directed the state govt to set up juvenile homes in Hisar, Sonipat, Ambala and progress in the case this week, HHRC chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia observed that both the Gurgaon administration and the women and child development department were "slacking". "It is strange that more than seven years have elapsed, but the land for construction of an integrated complex in Gurgaon is yet to be identified," the commission said, asking how many years does the district need to identify the commission directed the Gurgaon deputy commissioner to take up the matter urgently and identify land for a juvenile home without any about the order, deputy commissioner Ajay Kumar said the administration will comply with the commission's HHRC was informed in a status report submitted by the WCD and public works department (PWD) that construction work for juvenile homes in Hisar, Sonipat and Ambala was either almost complete, or about to begin. Operation Sindoor Operation Sindoor: Several airports in India closed - check full list Did Pak shoot down Indian jets? What MEA said India foils Pakistan's attack on Jammu airport: What we know so far Work on the main building in Hisar has been completed and some utilities such as rainwater harvesting will be taken up after funds are Sonipat, 88% of the work has been completed and is likely to be finished by Sept this year. For the juvenile home in Ambala, administrative approval of Rs 59.3 crore was granted and final architectural drawings are pending, Tenders will be invited on May 30.
