Mumbai, August 25: A 38-year-old man was recently sentenced to three months in jail for refusing to care for his widowed mother. The accused, identified as Muthukumar, was reportedly awarded three months imprisonment by the Tiruchendur RDO in Tamil Nadu's Tuticorin district. The senior citizen has been identified as E Malaiammal (67), a resident of Vazhavallan in Eral taluk in Tuticorin.

The woman was living with her alone as her husband passed away ten years ago. In her petition before the Tiruchendur RDO, E Malaiammal said that she was living alone, reports the Times of India. The senior citizen also said that her son Muthukumar allegedly refused to look after her. Following her petition, the case was investigated. Tamil Nadu Horror: Woman Dies of Severe Blood Loss as Husband Attempts Delivery at Home After Watching YouTube Videos.

In 2021, M Guru Chandran, Tiruchendur RDO, who investigated the case, passed an order directing Muthukumar to give his mother a monthly maintenance of Rs 5,000. However, Muthukumar refused to give any money to his mother the money. Following this, the accused continued to disobey the RDO's order. The RDO also said that Malaiammal's second son was empathetic and even looked after his mother when needed.

On July 31, the senior citizen approached the K Senthil Raj, Tuticorin district collector. After her meeting, the collector ordered the RDO to take action against Muthukumar. Subsequently, Muthukumar was arrested on Tuesday under section 24 of the Tamil Nadu Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.  After being arrested, Muthukumar was lodged in the Peroorani subjail for three months. Tamil Nadu: Newborn Abducted From Vellore Government Hospital, Rescued; Woman Culprit Arrested.

Raj also said that they are ensuring that elderly people are taken care of by their families and kin. A total of 74 cases have been registered under the Senior Citizens Act of 2007 in the past two and a half years. "We conduct periodic checks on the people who have got relief through the act, through the VAOs in the specific areas, to ensure that the rules are being honoured," Tuticorin district collector said.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 25, 2023 03:57 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).