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2024 Supreme(Jhk) 1071

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi, J.
Shakuntala Devi, wife of Late Ram Pratap Sahu - Petitioner
Versus
State of Jharkhand through the Deputy Commissioner and ors. - Respondents
W.P. (C) No. 3398 of 2023
Decided On : 13-08-2024

Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioner:Mr. Amritansh Vats, Advocate, Mr. Kumar Abhishek, Advocate
For the Respondent:Mr. Binit Chandra, A.C. to A.A.G.-III, Mr. P.K. Mukhopadhyay, Advocate, Mr. Sheyakur Rahman, Advocate, Mr. Wazid Ali, Advocate

The Deputy Commissioner has a statutory obligation to ensure the protection and welfare of senior citizens, including taking action against familial abuse and interference with property rights.

Headnote:(A) Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 - Sections 21, 22(1), and 32 - Jharkhand State Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Rules, 2014 - Petitioner seeks eviction of her sons from her property and protection from their behaviour due to age and health issues - Despite allegations of misconduct and a prior order for possession, respondents continued interference - Writ petition directs the Deputy Commissioner to address grievances of the petitioner under the statutory framework. (Paras 2-9)

(B) Jurisdiction - The Deputy Commissioner is obligated to protect life and property of senior citizens, as conferred by the Act, and must take necessary actions in compliance with the law. (Paras 3, 5, 8)

Facts of the case:
Petitioner, aged 73, alleges mental torture and eviction from her own house by her sons over property disputes. She filed complaints and sought intervention from authorities to reclaim her rights.

Findings of Court:
The court acknowledges previous compliance regarding possession and reinforces the duty of the Deputy Commissioner to act under the law for senior citizen protection.

Issues: The main questions include the statutory powers of the Deputy Commissioner concerning property eviction and the protection of senior citizens against familial abuse.

Ratio Decidendi: The court highlights the Deputy Commissioner's mandatory role in ensuring compliance with senior citizen welfare laws and addressing the needs of the petitioner.

Result: Writ petition disposed directing action under the Act, 2007.

Table of Content
1. petitioner's claims of property rights and abuse. (Para 2 , 3)
2. arguments regarding petitioner's claims and legal process. (Para 4 , 5)
3. court's interpretation of the act's provisions for senior citizens. (Para 6 , 7 , 8)
4. decision to direct deputy commissioner for action. (Para 9)

JUDGMENT :

SANJAY KUMAR DWIVEDI, J.

Heard Mr. Amritansh Vats, learned counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Binit Chandra, learned counsel for the State and Mr. P.K. Mukhopadhyay, learned counsel for respondent nos. 6 and 7.

2. This writ petition has been filed for direction upon the Deputy Commissioner, Lohardaga and Sub-Divisional Officer, Lohardaga to pass an appropriate order for evicting the respondent nos. 6 and 7 from their house situated at Village- Kuru, District- Lohardaga house built over Khata No.335, Plot No.240, Mouza- Kuru, District- Lohardaga in conformity with the provisions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act read with relevant provisions of Jharkhand State Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen Rules, 2014. The further prayer is made for direction upon respondent nos. 1 and 2 to grant protection to the petitioner and restrain respondent nos. 6 and 7 from interfering in the life of the petitioner as well as property.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioner is aged about 73 years having three sons, namely, Kamal Prasad, Nawal Prasad and Nandan Prasad. He further submits that the petitioner is suffering from various ailments like high Blood Pressure, Diabetes, hearing problem etc. He then submits that the petitioner is living at her house built over Khata No.335, Plot No.240 of Mouza- Kuru having area about 8 decimals since several decades which is registered in her name and she is the sole absolute owner of the said property. He refers Annexure-1 series which are photo copies of revenue records of the property. He also submits that the petitioner was staying in her house with her two sons namely Kamal Prasad (respondent no.6) and Nandan Prasad (respondent no.7) and both are married and they are staying with their wives and children. He submits that when the petitioner became very old, by taking advantage of the same, both of her sons started misbehaving and mentally torturing her in greed of property and income earned by her through rent. Respondent nos. 6 and 7 continuously misbehaved and abused the petitioner and in view of that, the petitioner moved before the Deputy Commissioner, Lohardaga by filing a representation dated 14.11.2022. He submits that a proceeding under Section 107 Cr.P.C. was initiated by the Court of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Lohardaga. He further submits that the petitioner filed a complaint dated 11.01.2023 before the Sub-Divisional Officer, Lohardaga raising her grievances to the effect that she has been thrown from her own house by her two sons and due to which she has to live with her third son, namely, Nawal Prasad. The allegations are made that the petitioner was continuously assaulted and mentally tortured by respondent nos. 6 and 7 and they want to take control over the rental income of the petitioner. He submits that the petitioner has also initiated a proceeding under the Jharkhand Building (Lease, Rent and Eviction) Control Act, 2011 being Case No.01 of 2023. He submits that in this background, the present writ petition has been filed. He then submits that vide order dated 22.06.2024, considering the age of the petitioner, the direction was issued to respondent nos. 6 and 7 to handover the keys of two rooms to the petitioner and further vacate the shop rooms in question and handover vacant possession of the same to the petitioner within a week. He submits that thereafter vide order dated 29.07.2024, the district administration as well as the Secretary, DLSA, Lohardaga were directed to comply the said order. He submits that under Section 32 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, th

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