Chandigarh: Taking serious note of a disturbing complaint, the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) on Monday issued a strong directive in favour of 82-year-old Arjan Dev Aggarwal and his 72-year-old wife, Vijay Aggarwal, residents of Sector 9, Panchkula. They have accused their son and daughter-in-law of mental harassment, neglect, and coercion to transfer property.According to the complaint, despite being elderly and suffering from severe health conditions requiring multiple surgeries, the couple was subjected to isolation, verbal abuse, and psychological trauma while living under the same roof with their son and daughter-in-law. The complainants allege they were threatened to move into an old-age home and were even falsely implicated in a domestic violence case. They also filed an application for eviction under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, before the Senior Citizen Tribunal in Panchkula on Jan 18, 2025, but received no relief so far.‘Entitled to claim maintenance from children’The commission observed that the aggrieved senior citizens are entitled to claim maintenance from their children, and any property transferred on the condition of care, if not fulfilled, can be declared null and void. Justice Lalit Batra, chairperson of the Haryana Human Rights Commission, noted that such treatment is not only a violation of the 2007 Act but also a gross infringement of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the right to live with dignity. He termed the conduct of the respondents as a clear case of abuse, neglect, and coercion.In light of the prima facie evidence of elder abuse, the commission directed the deputy commissioner of Panchkula to ensure immediate protection to the elderly couple through local police or other concerned authorities. Besides this, the DC has been asked to expedite proceedings before the Senior Citizen Tribunal and provide necessary administrative assistance.Next hearing on Sept 23Puneet Arora, spokesperson of the commission, informed that the next hearing in the matter has been scheduled for Sept 23, and copies of the commission’s order have been sent to the deputy commissioner and commissioner of police, Panchkula, as well as to the complainants for necessary compliance. MSID:: 122817368 413 |
