NEW DELHI: Crime against senior citizens in the city rose by 22% in 2021 compared to 2020, according to data released by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). NGOs working for senior citizens said the elderly are subjected to multiple abuses, mostly by their kin. According to NCRB, 2021 saw 1,167 cases of crime against senior citizens (aged 60 years and above), 2020 recorded 919 cases and 2019 saw 1,076 cases. The data showed most of the cases were related to theft (659), followed by forgery, cheating and fraud (153). Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, head, Agecare, HelpAge India, said, “The data is hugely alarming. Unfortunately, the situation is scarier as a large number of crimes against senior citizens are not reported. Urbanisation and hostility against the elderly have been synonymous. In metro cities, they are often subjected to multiple abuses, which are actually crimes against them committed by near and dear ones.” According to HelpAge India, between May 2021 and July 2022 in Delhi, government helpline Elderline (14,567) received 1312 calls from senior citizens. Of these, 784 calls pertained to abuse by close relatives. HelpAge India is the implementing agency for Elderline in eight states, including Delhi. The elderly have been subjected to financial, verbal and physical abuses. On an average, Elderline receives 180 calls in Delhi every month, out of which only 75% of cases are registered with the police, said Ahmed. “A recent study, which also looked at abuse, revealed 59% of the elderly say abuse is prevalent in society, while only 10% admit to being a victim of abuse, with relatives (36%), sons (35%) and daughters-in-law (21%) being the top three perpetrators. The gap in admission by the elderly explains the reason behind the gross under-reporting of crime against senior citizens,” said Ahmed. Himanshu Rath, chairman, Agewell Foundation, an NGO working for the welfare and empowerment of elderly, said, “Due to the Covid-19 lockdown, family members of all generations were confined to a house. The elderly became the soft target of some members who were frustrated with finances or other issues. Besides, there has been a tremendous rise in people’s aspirations but most of them lack the means to meet them. In such a situation, the elderly become vulnerable.” He added that Delhi Police proactively register cases related to crime against the elderly.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/crime-against-the-elderly-up-22-in-delhi-in-2021/articleshow/93915160.cms