Data shows rise in crime against senior citizens in India: A look at steps taken by the government to protect the elderlies

By: Yash Gupte

One of the important steps taken by the government towards protection of senior citizens was the introduction of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha on December 11, 2019.

In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on July 25, 2023, Minister of State for Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment Pratima Bhoumick highlighted the development works and implementation of various government schemes aimed at providing financial security, healthcare, nutrition, shelter and welfare for senior citizens. Senior citizens make up 10.38 crore people, or 8.6 percent of the nation's population, according to the Census Report -2011. According to the Technical Group on Population Projections (2011-2036) for India and States report from the National Commission on Population of the Government of India, which was published in July 2020, there would be 22.7 crore senior citizens in India in 2036, or 15 percent of the country's overall population.

The Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC), Grant-in-Aid is given to Implementing Agencies for the operation and upkeep of Senior Citizens Homes where basic necessities including shelter, food, medical attention, entertainment possibilities, etc. are freely offered to elderly destitute people. Under the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY), senior adults from families earning less than Rs. 15,000 per month or who have a disability related to old age are given free assisted living gadgets in a camp setting. To enhance the quality of life for senior adults, the Elderline/National Helpline for senior adults (NHSC) offers free advice, emotional support, field intervention in cases of abuse, and rescues.

One of the important steps taken by the government towards protection of senior citizens was the introduction of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha on December 11, 2019. The bill, which was presented to Lok Sabha on December 11, 2019, included stepchildren, adopted children, and children-in-law in the definition of "children" and obligated them to care for elderly parents. Additionally, it abolished the cap of Rs. 10,000 per month on parent maintenance payments and set rules for private nursing facilities and other organizations that provide aged care in their homes.

The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 define senior citizens as the Indian citizens who have attained the age of 60 years or above. Senior government authorities noted that this bill could result in unnecessary family disputes that may harmful the social fabric and the family. The ministry then established expert committees to look into four key areas: hospices, home care services, standards for old-age facilities, and raising awareness about protecting elderly residents' lives and property. The ministry has developed model standards for the services based on the reports of the four committees. Ministry officials said the model standards will be circulated to the states to ensure old-age homes and home care service providers follow basic standards of care. This step was taken by the government in order to ensure security and protection to the senior citizens.

Rather than including step-children, adopted children and others in the category of “children”, the government will be focusing on the old age homes for the elderly and other such similar services but the most important and significant among them is generating awareness about protecting the lives and property of the senior citizens. This step has been taken by keeping in mind the rate of crimes committed against the elderly. The chart below shows crimes committed against senior citizens in India from 2015-2020.

A total of 29,272 cases of murder were registered during 2021, showing a marginal increase of 0.3 percent over 2020 (29,193 cases). A total of 26,110 cases were registered for committing crime against Senior Citizens (aged above 60 years), showing an increase of 5.3 percent in registration over 2020 (24,794 cases). According to criminal head-wise cases, simple harm accounted for 28.3 percent (7,396 cases) of crimes against senior citizens in 2021, followed by theft with 13.5 percent (3,531 incidents) and FCF (Forgery, Cheating, & Fraud) with 11.3 percent (2,948 cases). Talking about the crime against senior citizens in the metropolitan cities, a total of 4,264 cases of crime registered in 19 metropolitan cities during 2021 as compared to 4,029 cases during 2020, showing an increase in the registration by 5.8 percent during 2021 over 2020.

The crimes against senior citizens in India have been continuously rising over the years. The year 2019 recorded the highest number of crimes (27,804) committed against the senior citizens. The year 2020 registered a decline not because there was decrease in crime against the senior citizens but because of the nationwide lockdown imposed due to the covid-19 pandemic. Maharashtra registered highest number of crimes against senior citizens.

Talking about metropolitan cities, Mumbai witnessed the highest number of crimes against senior citizens in 2018 (1043) and 2019 (1231). Delhi surpassed Mumbai in 2021 as it registered highest number of crimes (1166) while Mumbai registered 987 crimes. The NCRB data also suggested that Delhi was the only metropolitan city where cases of rape of senior citizens were registered. Four such cases were registered. In case of states, Maharashtra topped the chart in 2021 as it registered the highest number of cases of crime against senior citizens. Maharashtra registered 6,190 cases in 2021 followed by Madhya Pradesh (5,273), Telangana (1952) and Tamil Nadu (1841).

In accordance with the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), a fully funded centrally sponsored programme of the Department of Rural Development, monthly pension at the rate of Rs.200/- per month per beneficiary to elderly persons in the age group of 60-79 years belonging to Below Poverty Line (BPL) households, is being paid. The rate of pension is increased to Rs.500/- per month per beneficiary on reaching the age of 80 years. Though the government is taking a number of steps in empowerment of senior citizens, such mere payments are not at all effective for the welfare of senior citizens. A large number of NGOs and other similar organizations have been working for the safety and protection of senior citizens but the central government and the state government need to take appropriate steps for the protection of elderly.