Tamil Nadu: Security for senior citizen to enter house locked by daughter-in-law

Chennai: The Madras High court has directed the police to provide security to a senior citizen to enter into his house, which was locked by his estranged daughter-in-law. Justice M.S. Ramesh passed the order on a petition filed by T. Vinayagam of Maanampathi village, Uthramerur taluk, Kancheepuram. 

Vinayagam stated that he has been living in the house for many years. Adjudication in a matrimonial dispute between son and daughter-in-law was pending before the Cheyyar Sub-Judge. His daughter-in-law quarrelled with Vinayagam and abused him. She also hurled stones and threatened him and his wife with dire consequences. 

Vinayagam, his wife and his son locked the door and went to his daughter's house in Maraimalai Nagar recently. Immediately, after they left, the daughter-in-law and others damaged the house and locked it. 

He sent a complaint to the police and higher officials on August 9, 2017. As there was no action, he filed the present petition seeking a direction to the police to give protection to enter his own house. 

Justice Ramesh said “The conduct of the daughter-in-law in locking the premises thereby depriving the petitioner from entering into his own property is illegal. Hence, I am of the view that the petitioner’s life and property is to be protected by the respondent police.” 

“It is needless to point out that if at all the petitioner's daughter-in-law had any grievance against her husband or in-laws she can always work out her remedies before the courts of law. On the other hand, the present conduct of her in taking the law into her own hands and locking the premises belonging to the petitioner is totally unwarranted. As per maintenance and welfare of parents and senior citizens act and rules, it is the duty of the Government to ensure that the life and property of the senior citizen are protected and that they were able to lead a secured life,” the judge said. 

The petitioner has been granted liberty to approach the jurisdictional police seeking protection for the purpose of entering into his house by breaking open the lock. The police shall extend the necessary protection to enable the petitioner to enter into his own house. 

However, the police is also directed to consider such representation after providing due opportunity to the petitioner’s daughter-in-law by taking into consideration objections raised by her if any, the judge added.