Odisha HC Upholds Senior Citizen’s Right to Safe Residence
The Odisha High Court has reaffirmed the importance of dignity and protection for senior citizens, directing that an 86‑year‑old retired government employee be allowed to reside safely in his ancestral home.
The petitioner, hailing from Baramunda in Bhubaneswar, alleged harassment and eviction attempts by his youngest son.
Earlier, the Sub‑Divisional Tribunal had ordered that the ground floor of the two‑storey ancestral house be handed over to the father.
Upholding this directive, the High Court emphasised that senior citizens must live with respect and security under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
The court rejected appeals from both father and son, clarifying that while property disputes are civil in nature, the welfare of elders takes precedence.
This ruling sends a strong message that children have both a legal and moral duty to care for their parents, ensuring they are not deprived of safe living conditions in their own homes.