Fine slapped on two for abandoning 72-year-old

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The District Maintenance Tribunal on Thursday slapped fines of Rs 5,000 each on two persons who were found guilty of abandoning a 72-year-old woman at a hospital. The case related to an incident that had taken place over a year ago when Subhadramma of Sura Bhavan in Vilappilsala was brought to the district hospital in Nedumangad by her daughter-in-law Sindhu and granddaughter Reshmi for treatment, only to be abandoned later.

Her plight was brought to light by certain media reports, following which the State Human Rights Commission registered a suo motu case and directed the District Maintenance Tribunal to take action. Upon investigation, it was found that Subhadramma was forced by the duo to transfer to them the assets in her possession after the death of her son Sasidharan. After gaining ownership of the properties, they abandoned her at the hospital where she was brought for treatment.

Both Sindhu and Reshmi have been charged under Section 24 (exposure and abandonment of senior citizen) of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, and have been ordered to pay fines of Rs 5,000 each within 14 days of receipt of the order. Default of the payment would lead to simple imprisonment of one month, the order stated.

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