The Court formed a committee after finding out that the couple was severely restricted, with limited or no access to necessities such as sanitation and food.
On Wednesday, the Allahabad High Court expressed its shock at the treatment inflicted upon an elderly couple by their son and daughter-in-law.
A bench consisting of Justices Saumitra Dayal Singh and Donadi Ramesh ordered the formation of a committee after discovering that the senior citizens were severely restricted, with little to no access to essential needs like sanitation and food.
“Glaring facts have been brought before us. The petitioners who are senior citizens and living in the heart of the city Prayagraj, have made specific/direct allegations of extreme/abject violation of their basic fundamental rights as also rights as senior citizens. 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 chose to hear the couple’s plea for relief directly, rather than directing them to approach the concerned District Magistrate first.
‘Since no effective order may be passed at an ex parte stage and since time is of essence, we constitute a committee of District Magistrate, Prayagraj; Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj and Chief Medical Officer, Prayagraj who will visit the residential premise of the petitioners … today before 8:00 p.m,” the July 3 order said.
The committee was instructed to ensure that the senior citizens (petitioners) have full access to the entire property in question 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 offer complete medical checkup to the petitioners and ensure adequate medical help may be available to the petitioners through phone call or such means as the petitioners may be in need of,” the Court added.
The committee was also instructed to gather information from neighbors and submit a report in a sealed cover.
The matter is scheduled to be addressed again on Friday, July 5.