Advocate Vasudha Nagaraj asked to assist the court with report HC asks for report on old age homes

● THE TELANGANA HIGH Court has taken up a letter by the Member Secretary of Telangana State Legal Services Authority as a PIL.

Hearing about the deplorable living conditions of inmates of Old Age homes in the twin cities and peripheral areas, the Telangana High Court told advocate Vasudha Nagaraj to submit a report on conditions in old age homes by June 10.

Ms Nagaraj was appointed Amicus Curiae by the court two months ago, to assist the court in assessing the functioning of old age homes, as the court had no faith in the public authorities to give an accurate picture. The homes are run either by the government or some organisation or NGO.

The Amicus Curiae informed the Bench on Wednesday that due to the lockdown, she was not able to visit the homes and sought one month’s time to submit a detailed report.

The Telangana High Court has taken up a letter by the Member Secretary of Telangana State Legal Services Authority as a PIL. The legal services authority had commented on the negligence of public authorities in maintaining old age homes in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts, more particularly the lack of basic amenities at Mamatha Old Age Home, Shilpa Nagar Nagaram which lacks basic amenities for human dwelling and housed 52 people in one house consisting of two bedrooms with only seven cots. The letter also alleged that the hygienic conditions were poor and foul smells emanated from the rooms and there were only two toilets.

The Member Secretary also narrated in his letter an incident where a Circle Inspector of Police who visited the home on January 23, found that some of the inmates were tied with chains and are being treated inhumanly.