Considering the case of 76 years old widow who had been kicked out from her house by her son consequent to the illegal transfer of her house in her son’s name, the Punjab and Haryana High Court said children are expected to look after their elderly parents.
Children have to look after their parents as mandated under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act-2007, the HC observed.
The Bench comprised of Justice Augustine George Masih and Justice Ashok Kumar Verma observed it is bounden duty enshrined within the mandate of the Act rather than a value-based principle.
“It is often seen that after receiving the property from their parents, the children abandon them. In such situation, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 is an enabling lifeline for such old aged parents and senior citizens who are not looked after by their children and become neglected lots. Section 23 of the Act of 2007 is a deterrent to this and hence is beneficial for the elderly old aged people who are incapable of taking care of themselves in their last phase of life. The children are expected to look after their elderly parents properly which is not only a value based principle but a bounden duty as enshrined within the mandate of the Act of 2007”, the Court observed.
Section 23 (1) of the Act provides a dignified existence to older people. The Act was an enabling lifeline for the aged parents and senior citizens, who became neglected after their children refused to look after them.
