Bengaluru: Karnataka high court directed the Mysuru deputy commissioner and assistant commissioner to admit an ailing senior citizen — abandoned allegedly by son — to a govt hospital in Mysuru and provide necessary medical care with the state govt paying all the bills.Taking note of increasing cases of alleged lapses in geriatric care, the court said the state govt should examine extending institutional support to senior citizens on the lines of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.The court sought a report by August 11 on the govt’s proposed measures in this regard.The Mysuru woman, now 74, is said to be suffering from gangrene affecting her right foot. The court said the treating hospital should ensure she receives continuous and uninterrupted medical care until she is medically fit for discharge.In February 2024, the court stayed orders passed by a tribunal on cancellation of gift deed pertaining to properties, subject to the condition that the woman’s son pays Rs 10,000 a month to his mother as maintenance.Enlarging the scope of the case, the court asked the govt to assess whether the existing statutory framework under Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, adequately addresses all such situations or whether additional executive, policy or legislative measures are required.Justice Suraj Govindaraj, in an order on July 22, observed that the appropriate framework can be evolved for identifying senior citizens who, by reason of age, physical or mental infirmity, abandonment, neglect, abuse or any other vulnerability, require the intervention of the State for ensuring their protection, welfare and rehabilitation.Some of the complaints include neglect, abandonment, abuse, exploitation, deprivation of maintenance, denial of residence, unlawful deprivation of property, lack of medical care, absence of institutional support and other circumstances affecting their dignity, safety and well-being.
