Kerala HC Flags Unregistered Old Age Homes After Thenmala Abuse Case
The Kerala High Court has expressed serious concern over the proliferation of unregistered elderly care institutions operating in the state, which it described as being 'beyond the reach of law.'
A division bench comprising Justices Devan Ramachandran and Basant Balaji made the observation on Friday while hearing a petition related to reports of alleged ill-treatment of residents at the Punarjani shelter home in Thenmala. The court also took cognisance of a separate incident involving the alleged beating death of an autistic child in Kodungallur.
The petition was taken up suo motu by the court based on information from the amicus curiae appointed to monitor matters concerning mental health in Kerala. Investigations revealed that the Thenmala institution was operating without the required registration or license and was unsupervised by authorities.
The bench noted: 'What we require is not action after the incident, but a prevention of such in the future.' It emphasised that the state must ensure the protection of the elderly, infirm, and vulnerable citizens, who are entitled to the 'greatest protection under the Constitutional Scheme.' The court warned that any deficiency in this regard would attract 'the highest penalties.'
The matter will be heard next on June 23, with the court expected to issue further directions to regulate unregistered care homes and prevent future incidents.
