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ShareNew Delhi: There is no reason to be cynical about the government's endeavour to lend a strong helping hand to at least 100 million old people in the country. There is also no reason to think that the tribunal set up under a social legislation called the Maintenance and Welfare of the Parents and Senor Citizens Act, 2007, would adopt time-consuming procedural tactics to thwart elderly people's plea for speedy justice. Such apprehensions may be reasonable for any other tribunal or court, but it may not be applicable to the senior citizens act. According to a report, there would be around 1.2 billion old people by 2025 and 2 billion by 2050 across the world.
Another report suggests that the number of people above 60 years will also increase to 177 million in 25 years. Of them, 51% will be women, thanks to better life expectancy.Many other surveys reveal that almost 30% of India's elderly are subject to some form of abuse or neglect by their families. Ironically, only one in six of abused senior citizens report the injustice. Shockingly, 47.3% of abuse against elders is committed by adult caregivers, partners or family members, while 48.7% of all abuse cases imply neglect of an elderly person, abandonment, physical, financial or emotional abuse. Nine out of 10 calls received by Mumbai's Dignity Foundation pertain to property-related abuse. HelpAge's Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai help lines also report a similar trend.
Lawyer and solicitor general Gopal Subramanium said, "There should be an amendment in the legislation and any transfer of property effected by a senior citizen must be supervised by a judicial officer who shall examine whether the transaction has been vitiated by inducement, coercion or fraud and such other forgeries.'' He cited the example of law scholar Lotika Sarkar whose bungalow in Hauz Khaus was grabbed by influential IPS officer NC Dhoundhial, who posed as a foster son of the 87-year-old woman. A special tribunal intervened and within 10 days ordered IPS officer and his family's eviction.
When it comes to elderly people, delay by even a single day in dispensing justice can cause a lot of damage. The Dhoundhials have weakened police credibility as well. Goof-ups by Delhi Police, as in Sarkar's case, make the common man lose faith in investigating agencies.
