Abandoning parents can result in cancellation of property transfers and wills, says government

Bengaluru: In a shocking and inhumane trend, several elderly parents in have been abandoned in government medical college hospitals by their own children —often after transferring property rights to them.

At the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) alone, over 150 cases of deserted senior citizens have been reported, with more than 100 similar cases in other medical institutions across the state.

During a recent review meeting at Vikasa Soudha, the director of BIMS raised this distressing issue with Medical Education and Skill Development Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil.

Deeply concerned, the Minister directed the Director of Medical Education (DME) Dr BL Sujatha Rathod to alert all institute heads and lodge complaints with assistant commissioners (revenue sub-division) to take action against the children responsible.

He also called for the cancellation of wills and property transfers executed by abandoned parents in favour of their children.

Many abandoned parents have stated that their children deserted them in hospitals, knowing they would receive food, clothing, and shelter. While some cite economic hardships, most cases involve elderly individuals being left behind after transferring their properties to their children.

To support these abandoned seniors, BIMS authorities have arranged shelter in retirement homes in and around Belagavi for 70 senior citizens, while many others still remain in hospitals.

Legal action under Senior Citizens Act

Dr. Patil emphasized that medical institute directors must file complaints to ensure that assistant commissioners take action under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.

“Many people are unaware 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,” Dr. Patil stated.

As per Section 23 of the Act, if children neglect or abandon their parents after inheriting property, the law allows the cancellation of wills or property transfers, restoring ownership to the elderly parents.

With increasing reports of such cases, the government is stepping in to ensure justice for abandoned senior citizens and hold their children accountable.