The National Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has reprimanded the Kalwa police for not registering an FIR or even a Zero-FIR against a Mira Road-based old age home accused of alleged elder abuse. Instead, the police postponed the complainant’s application without taking any further action. The commission, headed by Justice KK Tated and Sanjay Kumar, directed the Thane Collector to conduct a fact-finding inquiry and submit the report to the commission. Additionally, summons have been issued to Thane and Mira Bhayander Vasai Virar police commissioners to submit their reports before the commission by November 27.

According to the complaint, Nisha Jain, a resident of Kalwa, had admitted her 85-year-old father to Shree Radha Krishna Nursing Home in Mira Road a few months ago. She was informed by the management that a deposit of ₹1 lakh was required for the upkeep and maintenance of her father. The management also promised to maintain a clean and safe environment for him.

However, Nisha later realized that her father was allegedly physically assaulted by the guards at the facility. She presented photographs of her injuries as evidence. She contacted the Kalwa police with her complaint and the photographs, asking them to file an FIR against the alleged miscreants. However, instead of registering a Zero-FIR, the police simply prepared an application and returned it.

When the police failed to help her, Nisha approached the SHRC and filed a complaint against the Kalwa police for inaction.

The SHRC, after examining the evidence, observed: “A bare perusal of her complaint filed with the police authorities dated November 20, 2024 clearly shows that although the complainant has prima facie established a cognizable offence, the police officer concerned , with accusations of dishonesty. intentions, failed to register a Zero-FIR. Instead, they simply accepted his application without taking any action against the culprits. It is shocking that despite the complainant highlighting the cruelty towards her elderly father, the Kalwa police neither registered a Zero-FIR nor referred her father to a civil hospital for medical examination. The commission noted police negligence and ordered immediate corrective measures.

When the nursing home was contacted by the Free Press Journal, Mansukh Mahamania, the director of the nursing home, acknowledged that Nisha had brought her father home. However, he claimed it was under the pretext of temporarily taking him home.

“These are three girls who couldn’t take care of their father at home. We were aware of alleged family problems. This is just a tactic by the girls to get out of the refundable bail amount, and they fabricated these allegations,” he said.

The SHRC has therefore asked the Thane Collector to expeditiously complete the fact-finding investigation, and the police commissioners are expected to submit detailed reports in the matter by November 27.