Elderly woman alleges abuse by son, daughter-in-law in Boparai Kalan

The son and daughter-in-law of 85-year-old Gurman Kaur from Boparai Kalan, who were booked under Sections 323, 294 and 506 of the IPC for allegedly assaulting and threatening her, have managed to garner sympathy from close relatives. Contrary to the widespread belief that the couple would face punishment for their inhumane treatment of the woman, they were granted bail, with support from their sympathisers.

At present recovering at Manukhta Da Ghar in Hasanpur near Mullanpur Dakha, Gurman Kaur is attempting to come to terms with the distressing ordeal. The investigation team, led by SI Gurmeet Singh, is still putting together the sequence of events surrounding the mental and physical abuse Gurman Kaur endured. Preliminary findings suggest her son Jasvir Singh and his wife Gurpreet Kaur had been harassing her for an extended period. Even the grandsons were reportedly involved in the maltreatment.

“Upon receiving a formal complaint from the victim, we arrested the couple and registered an FIR under various sections of the IPC,” said SI Gurmeet Singh, acknowledging the suspects had been released on bail. He also revealed Raj Gill Lalli, Chairperson of the Punjab State Commission for Women, had requested a detailed report on the action taken against the suspects. “We are in the process of gathering further details and a comprehensive report will be submitted to the higher authorities soon,” Singh confirmed.

The revelation of the abuse came as a surprise to the residents of Bank Colony, who were unaware of the ongoing maltreatment within the household. Gurman Kaur, who had been staying with her son’s family as a caretaker while her daughter, Harpreet Kaur, moved to Australia, had endured the abuse in isolation. Jasvir works as a security guard, and Gurpreet Kaur is involved with a boutique, but their violent behaviour went unnoticed by neighbours, as the abuse occurred in the most secluded room of their home.

Local councillor Sukhwinder Singh said the family had moved to the locality after Harpreet Kaur, now residing in Australia, offered her brother Jasvir Singh a place to stay. It was only after Harpreet Kaur observed a troubling CCTV footage from Australia, the severity of the abuse became apparent, prompting her to seek help from social activists.

Surprisingly, Gurman Kaur has only accused her son of physically abusing her, despite video evidence showing all four family members involved in the maltreatment. She also refused to leave her son’s house when her daughter Harpreet Kaur offered to take her to Manukhta Da Ghar, where she is currently staying.

Gurman Kaur said she is disheartened that her son’s actions have now become known to the public. She mentioned, “Neither my father nor my husband ever raised a hand against me.”

Surviving on a meagre diet, she currently receives a monthly pension of Rs 13,000.

Ludhiana