A Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) here has directed two men to take care of their octogenarian mother in distress and bear her monthly expenses, failing which they would be sent to jail.
Mukul Gupta, SDM of Govindpura area, gave the order last week, asking Rakesh Sahu (50) and his elder brother Narmada Sahu (55) to provide Rs 8000 and Rs 4,000 respectively on a monthly basis for their widowed 87-year-old mother Gyarasi Sahu's food and other expenses.
SDM is a competent authority under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act (MWPSCA), 2007, to adjudicate the grievances of elderly people with their children, and is empowered to send the guilty to three months jail under Section 24 of the Act, Gupta told PTI.
"I asked Rakesh and Narmada Sahu to provide Rs 8,000 and Rs 4,000 respectively on a monthly basis for food and other expenses. I told them if they fail to do so, they will be sent to jail under MWPSC Act," Gupta said.
According to the SDM, in her petition seeking help from her children, the old woman, who lives alone, said that her two sons were not taking care of her and she was living in penury and can't afford to even buy medicine.
He said the two men work as state government employees. The old woman and her two sons live in Govindpura locality of the city.
Gupta said he also directed them to visit her with their families and give her love and affection so that she does not feel alone, "failing which they will imprisoned under the Act".
Asked why Narmada has been asked to pay half the money to his mother as compared to the other son, he said, "The elder son (Narmada) provides tea and bread to his mother, who lives close to his place. But Rakesh had not met her mother since last six months," Gupta said.
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