Petitioner pulled up for ill-treating father
STAFF REPORTER
CHENNAI, May 15, 2012
A man accused of attacking his father and trying to grab his property came in for strong criticism from the Madras High Court after he challenged a revenue official's order directing him to vacate his father's house immediately.
The Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Krishnagiri, had directed J Anbalagan of Nagampatti village in Krishnagiri district, to vacate his father's house forthwith under the provisions of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2006 (MAWOPASC Act).
Dismissing Mr. Anbalagan's petition challenging the RDO's order, Justice K.Chandru said, "The petitioner will have to be ashamed of himself for ill-treating his father in such a fashion. Perhaps, [it is] only with a view to preventing such occurrences of senior citizens like this father being ill-treated, that too at the hands of their own sons, a summary procedure has been contemplated in the Act."
Mr. Anbalagan said his father M. Jegadeesan had two wives and two houses. He lived with his mother Sellammal, the first wife, while his father resided with his second wife during his mother's time.
Mr. Jagadeesan had complained to the RDO that he and his son had a problem over partitioning their property, as a result of which his son had slapped him in the face. His son had also threatened to kill him, he alleged.
Based upon the complaint, the RDO passed an order under the Senior Citizens' Welfare Act that Anbalagan could not claim any right over the properties enjoyed by the father. He also directed him to vacate his father's house and not to interfere with his peaceful enjoyment of his properties during his lifetime. In the event of his failing to comply with the order, he was warned that he would have to undergo three months' imprisonment and a fine of Rs.10,000. Aggrieved by this order of the RDO, Anbalagan approached the High Court. He contended that the RDO has no power to pass any order.
Courtesy_
