Residents in Noida old age home found without clothes in basement-like rooms; 42 rescued

Noida | Following a police raid, 42 elderly individuals were rescued from an "illegal" old age home. Disturbing conditions were uncovered, including some women being tied up, many residents without clothing, and others confined to rooms resembling basements, officials said on Friday.

During a raid conducted on Thursday in the presence of members from the Uttar Pradesh State Women Commission and the State Welfare Department, the old age home was found in a deplorable condition, they stated.

Minister of State (Independent charge) for Social Welfare, Asim Arun, assured the government has taken cognisance of the matter and sought a report from the district authorities.

The facility, known as Anand Niketan Vridha Seva Ashram, is managed by a private charitable trust, Jan Kalyan Trust, founded in 1989.

Meenakshi Bharala, a member of the women's commission, emphasised that the old age home is operating illegally.

"During the raid, an elderly woman was found tied up while other elderly people were locked in basement-like rooms," she said, adding that while some men did not even have clothes, many elderly women were found in half-clad condition.

"A total of 42 elderly people were in the ashram, out of which three will be shifted to an old age home run by the social welfare department on Friday. The rest will be shifted to other government-approved old age homes in the next five days, she added.

The old age home will be sealed with the help of the administration, Bharala stated.

Responding to the finding, UP Social Welfare Minister Asim Arun told PTI in Lucknow that he is aware of the case.

"I have asked the district magistrate to conduct a preliminary inquiry and report to me within 24 hours. Once the report is available, we will be in a better position to take a call on what needs to be done," he said.

An official pointed out that there is only one government-run old age home in Gautam Buddh Nagar. Although there is no limit on the number of privately-run facilities, they are required to adhere to essential operational guidelines.