Rights panel orders protection for elderly couple of Panchkula

Taking a strong note of the abuse of an elderly couple in Sector 9 here, the Haryana Human Rights Commission has ordered immediate protective measures for Arjan Dev Aggarwal (82) and his 72-year-old wife Vijay Aggarwal, who have accused their son and daughter-in-law of sustained mental harassment, coercion and neglect.

According to the couple’s complaint, they have been subjected to ongoing psychological trauma, verbal abuse and social isolation, despite suffering from serious health conditions and requiring constant medical care following multiple surgeries.

The situation reportedly escalated to the point where they were threatened with being sent to an old-age home and falsely implicated in a domestic violence case.

On January 18, the couple had filed an eviction application before the Senior Citizen Tribunal under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, but no effective relief was provided.

Justice Lalit Batra, Chairperson of the commission, observed that the alleged conduct amounted not only to a clear breach of the 2007 Act, but also a violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to live with dignity.

He remarked that the behaviour of the son and daughter-in-law of the couple amounted to abuse, coercion and abandonment, all of which are punishable under the law. The commission referred to key provisions of the Act, which entitle senior citizens to claim maintenance, revoke property transfers made on the condition of care, and prosecute cases of abandonment.

Taking cognisance of the prima facie evidence, the commission has directed the Panchkula DC to ensure the elderly couple’s immediate safety through police or other administrative means. It also instructed that proceedings before the Senior Citizen Tribunal be expedited and that an action-taken report be submitted to the commission before the next hearing.

Puneet Arora, Protocol, Information & Public Relations Officer of the commission, said the next hearing in the matter is scheduled for September 23. Copies of the commission’s directive have been sent to the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of Police, Panchkula, as well as to the complainants for necessary compliance.

Chandigarh