DM intervenes after father tried to evict son, daughter-in-law and grandchild for personal gain

PIONEEREDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun

A retired gazetted officer allegedly attempted to evict his son, daughter-in-law and four-year-old granddaughter by filing a case under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act in the Dehradun district magistrate’s court for personal gain. The man Jugal Kishore Verma had arrived earlier to the DM office in a wheelchair with his complaint against his son Aman Verma despite reportedly being healthy, just to get sympathy.

The DM Savin Bansal, after hearing both sides and reviewing evidence, found that the parents reportedly had a combined monthly income of Rs 55,000 and were physically capable, while the son and his wife, with a monthly income of Rs 25,000, were struggling to manage their household and child. The DM ruled that the case was filed with the intention of displacing the son’s family and reinstated possession of the shared household to the couple within two hearings. The court dismissed the father’s petition, stating that old age cannot be used as a license to displace dependents.

The DM also directed the Dehradun senior superintendent of police Ajai Singh to ensure monthly inspections at the residence to prevent further harassment and to safeguard the rights of both parties. Bansal said that the order emphasised that misuse of the law to deprive dependents of their rights will not be permitted. The decision has concluded the case and is expected to serve as a precedent in similar disputes.

He further stated that he has received multiple cases recently in which adult children abandoned their old parents or behaved badly with them and appropriate action was taken against them as per the relevant rules. However, it does not mean that old individuals will misuse it against their children. They will also face strict action as per law, he added.