The Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences alone has recorded over 150 cases, with more than 100 similar instances reported from other medical institutions across the state. In response, Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil has called for the cancellation of such property transfers and wills executed in favour of the offending children.
Published Mar 16, 2025 | 7:56 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 16, 2025 | 7:56 PM
An elderly patient (iStock)
Synopsis: Karnataka health officials have flagged a concerning rise in cases of children abandoning elderly parents in government hospitals after securing property transfers. In response, the state government has ordered action against those responsible under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
A concerning trend of children in Karnataka abandoning their elderly parents in government hospitals after securing property transfers has been flagged by health officials.
In response to the “shocking and inhumane” practice, Minister for Medical Education and Skill Development, Dr Sharan Prakash Patil, has called for the cancellation of such property transfers and wills executed in favour of the offending children.
According to a statement issued by the Medical Education Department, the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) alone has recorded over 150 cases, with more than 100 similar instances reported from other medical institutions across the state.
During a review meeting at Vikasa Soudha, the director of BIMS raised the issue with Minister Patil. Expressing deep concern, the minister directed the Director of Medical Education (DME), Dr BL Sujatha Rathod, to alert all institute heads and instruct assistant commissioners (revenue sub-divisions) to take action against the children responsible.
Meanwhile, to provide immediate relief, BIMS authorities have arranged shelter in retirement homes for 70 abandoned senior citizens, ensuring they receive food, care, and medical attention. However, many others remain in hospitals with uncertain futures.
The government is invoking the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, to take legal action in these cases.
“Under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, children and relatives are legally obligated to provide financial and medical support to their elderly parents. Section 23 of the Act allows for the cancellation of property transfers if it is proven that children have neglected or abandoned their parents,” Minister Patil stated.
He also noted that awareness of the law remains low, contributing to such cases.
“Many people are not aware of this law. It mandates that children or relatives must provide financial and medical support to senior citizens. If they fail to do so, parents have the legal right to cancel property transfers made in favour of their children,” he added.
Social workers and elderly rights activists have welcomed the government’s decision but emphasise the need for preventive measures.
“The cancellation of property transfers is a good step, but we need strong implementation of the law and awareness campaigns so that elderly parents do not fall into this trap in the first place,” said an activist working with senior citizens in Bengaluru.
Experts caution that changing family dynamics and financial pressures have worsened the problem. Many elderly individuals, unaware of their legal safeguards, transfer their assets out of love and trust – only to be left destitute.
In a related development, a doctor from Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru, has been issued a show-cause notice by the Medical Education Department for allegedly assaulting her elderly in-laws and harassing them along with her children.
A video of Dr Priyadarshini, an emergency medical officer at Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), allegedly assaulting her elderly in-laws, had earlier gone viral. Reports indicate that she had been harassing the elderly couple for the past ten years.
In a statement, Principal Secretary Mohsin condemned the incident, stating that such behaviour “brings embarrassment to the department.”
He has directed the Director of Medical Education, Dr BL Sujatha Rathod to issue the show-cause notice and take necessary action against the accused doctor.
“She has already filed for divorce but allegedly went to her in-laws’ residence and physically attacked them. A case has been registered at a police station in Bengaluru in connection with this incident,” the department release stated.
The statement warned that failure to respond would result in further disciplinary action.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
