Executive Summary
Cases of senior citizens being abused by their children and relatives have increased, with property-related disputes among the major concerns.
Published in Deccan Herald
Original article clipping preserved from Deccan Herald archival records (15 March 2020).
Full Story & Transcribed Coverage
Abuse of elders on the rise
They are physically and emotionally harassed by children eyeing their property. Some are taking help from the police and initiating legal action.
Cases of senior citizens being abused by their children and relatives have spiked by about 25 per cent since last year, according to the police.
The abuse could be physical or emotional in nature, says S Premkumar Raja, co-founder, Nightingales Medical Trust, which has launched the Elders’ Helpline (1090) in collaboration with the Bengaluru police.
“Property-related abuses top the list. The rise in numbers could be because real estate prices are high, and children want their parents to make a gift deed of their property to them. They promise to take care of their parents. But once the formalities are completed, they start ill-treating their parents,” Premkumar says.