Atrocities Against Senior Citizens

Sulochana Pai

Sulochana got back her house

Sulochana being counselled

Mis. Sulochana Pai of Kadtala village in Udupi, toiled as a chef and strived to bring up her two sons, Mr. Ramakanth Pai and Bharath Pai. She spent her hard earned money to build a house on the 5 cents land granted by the Government. She also fulfilled all her responsibilities as a parent by marrying off her two sons.

The death of her husband Mr. Janardhan Pai in 2012, left her desolate. Both her sons had yielded to alcoholism. They were earning sufficiently as lorry drivers, but instead of taking care of their mother, they began to pester her for money. When she refused to give any money, they drove her out of the house. In spite of the house being in her name, the elder son does not allow her to dwell there. There is no sign of her second son Mr. Bharath, who occasionally turns up only to extort money from her.

Mis. Sulochana took shelter at the house of a relative, Mr. Ramesh Nayak for survival. Bharath followed her even there to harass her for money. But Mis. Sulochana was again forsaken on the demise of Mr. Ramesh Nayak.

In 2016, she complained to the police officers and the matter was looked into. The elder son Mr. Ramakanth, agreed to give up the house to her, but did not do so. In March 2016, she gave a complaint to the Senior Citizens’ Tribunal with the help of Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi.

After eight months of hearing the matter, the Tribunal ordered Mr. Ramakanth to provide maintenance of Rs. 6000/- per month. He neither appeared for the hearing nor did he pay any money. But since there was no clear order for the possession of house, Mis. Sulochana Pai had to appeal to the Udupi District Commissioner. Now the Tahsildar of Karkala has been ordered to give Mis. Sulochana the possession of the house. Mis. Sulochana who was seriously ill since 4 months has recovered under the shelter of the Organisation. She has also been operated for cataract. She now yearns to dwell in her own house.

Presently the son has refused to leave the house under any circumstances. The organization has contacted the Tahsildar of Karkala to give Mis. Sulochana the possession of her house and requested him to provide protection to her.

However law and order or government departments alone cannot provide justice. It is only with the full-fledged support of the citizens that the senior citizens may live in peace.

Elderly woman abandoned by sons, in dire need of help