Frequency of plaints from senior citizens to cell rises

PUNE: Over the last six months, the senior citizens' cell set up by the Pune police has drawn a little over 200 complaint applications. Most of these relate to neglect or harassment by their children and property related matters.

Earlier, the police used to receive a complaint once in three-four days, but now, they receive two complaint applications every day. The cell has 5,000 registrations.

Since January 1, this year, the cell received 243 complaint applications from senior citizens residing in different parts of the city.

Police commissioner Rashmi Shukla has assigned a team to address the issues reaching the cell. It primarily works towards finding a solution to the problems faced by the elders before the matter takes a serious turn.

Senior police inspector Sanjay Nikam and Swati Thorat manage the counselling sessions at the cell and address the complaints. The crime branch of the Pune police and the local police station officials regularly visit the enrolled senior citizens and enquire about their well-being. Wherever required, they also fetch medicines and meet other needs for these senior citizens.

Police said they have solved as many as 208 cases of the total 243 complaints. The remaining 64 complaint applications have been forwarded to the local police stations for further action.

An analysis of these complaint applications reveals that the senior citizens are harassed for property, their wards neglect their medical and other needs are the most common complaints.

About 90% of senior citizens have grievances against their wards who harass them over property issues. They are troubled to part with land, gold, or apartments to which the seniors are emotionally attached. The children want them to sell their property in order to buy some other property with the money earned from the sale proceeds. Such a situation mostly leads to a tussle and the parents are harassed by their children.

The remaining 10% of applications are complaints of neglect by their wards and harassment by neighbours or financial institutions. Children do not speak or discuss household issues with their elderly parents. They do not take them out on tours with other family members. In such a scenario, the life of senior citizens remains restricted to their homes.

Police officers said many senior citizens face some or the other problem but now they know whom to approach to get their issues addressed.

Some senior citizens call the dedicated helpline before visiting the cell. However, they are advised to visit the cell after primary information about the legal provisions is given to them over the phone.