Kolkata Court Intervenes in Disturbing Case of Elderly Abandonment
In a deeply troubling incident from Kolkata, a senior citizen from Assam's Kamrup area was allegedly abandoned by her daughter at a guest house in the Madurdaha locality since August of last year. The guest house owner, Arijit Kow, a resident of Tangra, has been providing care and treatment for the elderly woman, even hiring an attendant, while pleading with authorities to transfer her to a government hospital and reimburse his expenses.
Legal Battle and Police Inaction
Frustrated by what he claims was inaction from the Anandapur police station, which refused to register an FIR despite multiple complaints, Kow finally approached the court in January seeking judicial intervention. This week, following an order from the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in Alipore, the Anandapur police station registered a case against the woman.
The FIR was officially filed on February 4 under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, marking a significant development in this prolonged ordeal.
Details of the Alleged Abandonment
According to the formal complaint, the accused daughter from Kamrup checked into room 101 on the ground floor of the guest house on June 25 around 2:25 PM, accompanied by her ill mother. They had booked a six-day stay at a daily rate of Rs 1,100. The complainant stated that the daughter, identified as Banerjee, also engaged a female attendant from an "ayah centre" to look after her mother during their stay.
The situation took a drastic turn on August 6, around 1:25 PM, when Banerjee left the guest house, promising to return within a day or two after arranging money for her mother's treatment and daily necessities. The complaint alleges she never returned and failed to clear outstanding dues for room rent, food charges, and the attendant's fees, while her mother continued to occupy the room.
Humanitarian Efforts and Health Concerns
Kow informed the court that he continued to provide lodging, food, and basic care to the elderly woman on humanitarian grounds. He further highlighted that the woman's health deteriorated over time, and arranging hospital admission proved challenging without the daughter's consent, complicating medical interventions.
Repeated attempts to contact the daughter via phone went unanswered, and written complaints were submitted to the Officer-in-Charge of Anandapur police station on August 8 and August 22, 2025, followed by appeals to senior officers of the East Division on August 31, 2025. The petitioner alleged that no effective action was taken, prompting the move to court.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
Police officials have confirmed that an investigation has been initiated under the supervision of the Officer-in-Charge of Anandapur police station. A team is scheduled to visit Assam shortly to gather further evidence and pursue the case, aiming to address the legal and humanitarian aspects of this distressing situation.
This case underscores critical issues related to elderly care, legal accountability, and the challenges faced by good Samaritans in navigating bureaucratic hurdles when providing aid to vulnerable individuals.
