In a recent case (Asit Kumar Palit v. State of West Bengal), the Calcutta High Court ruled that a son and daughter-in-law residing at their parents’ home cannot impose their views on elderly parents and that they are free to leave the home if they disagree with the parents’ opinions.
The petitioner, a senior citizen and retired math teacher, was described by the single-judge Justice Rajasekhar Mantha as having “old school ideals” and being quite obstinate.
The petitioner claimed that he had been assaulted by his son and daughter-in-law. He stated that he did not feel at ease with them being in the house. In accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizen Act of 2007, he had even filed a First Information Report (FIR) against his son and daughter-in-law.
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