Supreme Court comes to rescue of visually impaired man, elderly mother living in extreme poverty

The Supreme Court on Tuesday passed a slew of directions to secure dignity and social security for an elderly Odisha woman and her visually impaired son who were reported to be living in extreme poverty [In Re: Ensuring basic human dignity and social security for differently abled citizens living in extreme poverty and other anciliiary issues].

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice V Mohana issued the directions as part of a suo motu case registered this week to ensure the welfare of persons with disabilities who live in poverty.

It underscored that the focus of the Court was not merely on the existence of welfare schemes, but on whether they translated into a dignified life in reality.

The Court today took note of the precarious living conditions of Japa Bhue, who has been visually impaired since birth accordingly to a report, and his mother Radhika Bhue.

“We are concerned with whether a life with dignity can be granted to Smt. Bhue (mother of the visually impaired man),” observed CJI Kant.

The Court has sought information about the social security measures available to both the mother and her son.

“We shall be apprised as to whether she (Radhika Bhue) is receiving any old age pension and what social security benefits, if any, are being extended to her. We shall also be apprised of the social security benefits being received by the specially abled person,” it said.

To ensure a ground-level assessment of their situation, the Court also ordered the Member Secretary of the Odisha State Legal Services Authority to personally interact with the family.

“The Member Secretary, Odisha State Legal Services Authority, shall appear before this Court. The Member Secretary shall personally interact with Smt. Radhika Bhue and her visually impaired son and ensure that all necessary arrangements are made for them,” directed the Court.

The Legal Services Authority has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive report detailing the family’s living conditions, welfare entitlements, and any further support required. The report must also indicate whether the mother is entitled to a separate dwelling unit under any applicable housing scheme.

Additionally, the Court ordered that the visually impaired son be inducted as a paralegal volunteer. The Court observed that he could assist other persons with disabilities in understanding their legal rights and entitlements. The Court ordered that he must be paid an uninterrupted honorarium, not less than the minimum wages prescribed under law.

Emphasising the State’s constitutional obligation in such matters, the Court further held,

“The State shall ensure that all basic amenities and facilities necessary for a life of dignity are made available to the mother and her son.”

Radhika Bhue and her visually impaired son, Japa Bhue, reside in the Subarnapur district of Odisha. The son has been blind since birth and is dependent on his mother for daily needs.

According to media reports, following the death of the father, the family’s financial condition has worsened.

The mother and son live in a dilapidated, asbestos-roofed structure that serves as their kitchen, bedroom and living space, with cracked walls and an unstable roof posing constant risk.

Despite the existence of multiple welfare schemes for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, the family has reportedly received only minimal assistance, including a small pension and limited food support, which is insufficient to meet their basic needs.

Their exclusion from housing schemes, despite repeated applications, is the issue the Court is examining in its ongoing suo motu proceedings on persons with disabilities living in extreme poverty.

The matter will be taken up next after the submission of the report.

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