No law for verbal abuse

Hyderabad: The police only recognises physical abuse in the form of hitting, injuries and abandonment. Verbal and financial abuse are not considered as crimes until a senior citizens’ organisation represents a case. In case of abandonment, a police complaint can be registered by a senior citizen and a criminal procedure is initiated against the child or children for abandonment.

Experts say that while this law is being very effectively implemented in Chennai and Chandigarh, others are still to act tough. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, empowers senior citizens to complain to the district court if they are not taken care of.