Punjab Women Commission steps in after elderly woman found chained, starved in Amritsar

The Punjab State Women Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of a shocking incident of alleged neglect and cruelty involving a 75-year-old woman, who was chained and abandoned outside the house by her family in the Green Avenue locality here.

The incident came to light when people informed a local NGO, who first spotted the frail woman lying on her back near the shutter of a closed shop. She was bound with a heavy iron chain. The NGO got her released and admitted in a hospital for treatment.

A video of the same surfaced on social media, thereby prompting the women commission to direct the Deputy Commissioner here to submit a detailed report by April 20. It has also ordered an immediate inquiry and strict action against those responsible.

Advocate Harsimran Singh, president of Just Seva Society, alleged the woman was chained outside a shop just below her family’s house. Her son Sanjay, daughter-in-law Sunita, and grandson Sumeet reside in the nearby building.

Harsimran said that he got a call from the local residents, who alleged that the elderly woman had been kept in chains for several days without proper food, causing her weight to plummet. Her condition had deteriorated severely due to the alleged neglect and abuse.

He added that he, along with other members, reached the spot and asked for keys from her family. However, they were adamant, and started quarrelling and abusing, he alleged. They rescued the woman and admitted her to a hospital. However, her son and daughter-in-law reportedly reached the hospital, created a scene and forcibly took her back home, only to chain her outside again while continuing to deny her food, according to local accounts.

Gurpreet Singh, SHO Civil Lines police station, said that appropriate action is being taken. He said the women commission has taken notice and directed for necessary action.