How Allahabad High Court came to rescue of elderly couple confined by son and his wife

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday expressed its shock at the treatment meted out to an elderly couple by their son and daughter-in-law..A Bench of Justices Saumitra Dayal Singh and Donadi Ramesh directed the formation of a committee after finding out that the senior citizens were severely restricted, with limited or no access to necessities such as sanitation and food."Glaring facts have been brought before us. The petitioners who are senior citizens and living in the heart of the city Prayagraj, have made specific/direct allegations of extreme/abject violation of their basic fundamental rights as also rights as senior citizens. Violators are none other than their own son and daughter-in-law. The plight suffered by the petitioners ... has been continuous over the last few years," the Court observed..The High Court proceeded to entertain the couple's plea for relief instead of resorting to the usual course of making them move the concerned District Magistrate first. 'Since no effective order may be passed at an ex parte stage and since time is of essence, we constitute a committee of District Magistrate, Prayagraj; Commissioner of Police, Prayagraj and Chief Medical Officer, Prayagraj who will visit the residential premise of the petitioners ... today before 8:00 p.m," the July 3 order said..The committee was directed to ensure that the senior citizens (petitioners) have adequate access to the entire property in question, apart from ensuring their safety and peaceful existence. "If required the Commissioner of Police may post necessary personnel at the residence of the petitioners. The Chief Medical Officer shall offer complete medical checkup to the petitioners and ensure adequate medical help may be available to the petitioners through phone call or such means as the petitioners may be in need of," the Court added.The committee was asked to ascertain facts from neighbours as well and submit a report in a sealed cover.The matter will be taken up next on Friday, July 5..Advocates Ayush Mishra, Kuldeepak Bahri, and Sunil Kumar Misra appeared for the elderly couple.Advocate Vishal Singh appeared for the Uttar Pradesh government.