Should a 57-year-old woman be considered a senior citizen? The matter reaches the High Court.

Madras High Court: The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court delivered a significant verdict regarding a 57-year-old woman. The court clarified the circumstances under which assistance can be granted even to someone under the age of 60.

Senior Citizen Law News: If a woman is under 60 years of age, can she seek financial assistance under the law enacted for the maintenance of senior citizens? A case addressing this very question has come before the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court, resulting in a crucial ruling concerning a 57-year-old woman. Let us understand the details of the case.

What is the case about?

This matter involves a woman who, along with her mother and maternal uncle, had signed a settlement agreement. This agreement was executed in favor of the petitioners regarding certain properties. However, following a subsequent dispute, the woman sought to have the agreement annulled. She approached the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) with a request to cancel the agreement.

The RDO rejected her request. Subsequently, the woman challenged the RDO's decision before the District Collector, appealing for the cancellation of the agreement. The Collector also refused to annul the agreement; however, the Collector ordered the petitioners to pay the woman a monthly maintenance allowance of ₹6,000.

Why did the matter reach the High Court?

The petitioners approached the Madras High Court to challenge the Collector's order. They contended that the Collector had exceeded his jurisdiction by ordering the payment of maintenance.

Counsel for the petitioners argued in court that the woman was only 57 years old at the time the complaint was filed. Under the *Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007*, a person must be at least 60 years of age to qualify as a senior citizen. Furthermore, the woman was not a parent of the petitioners.

What did the court say?

While hearing the matter, the court agreed with the petitioners' arguments. It observed that the woman was 57 years old—not 60—at the time she filed the complaint; therefore, she did not fall under the 'senior citizen' category as defined by the 2007 Act.

However, the court kept the door open for the woman regarding future recourse. It stated that once she attains the age of 60, she may file a fresh complaint before the competent authority, provided she meets the other conditions of the law.