Kamal Ghorui
AMRITSAR: Prerna Devi, a 75-year-old woman who was allegedly kept in shackles by her relatives and forced to live outside her home, was finally rescued and shifted to an old-age home on Friday night, bringing some relief after days of neglect and public outrage.Amritsar deputy commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh said on Saturday that officials moved her to Bhai Kanhaiya Ji Birdh Ghar, where she will be provided shelter and necessary medical support. He added that police would take appropriate action against those involved in her alleged maltreatment.The issue had first come to light after Just Sewa Society (JSS) received information from neighbours in Janta Colony. The woman was reportedly thrown out of her home by her relatives and found chained and locked outside.After a video showing Devi in shackles went viral, the Punjab State Commission for Women took suo motu cognisance and directed the DC to conduct an inquiry and submit a detailed report.JSS secretary Harmanjit Singh said the organisation’s volunteers had admitted her to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital on April 14 and bore the cost of her treatment. However, her relatives allegedly got her forcibly discharged and again left her outside their home. Her weight, he said, had dropped to just 22 kg.He further alleged that the relatives argued with JSS members and even issued threats when they tried to intervene.Police have registered a case against elderly women’s son and daughter-in-law under sections 126, 127 (4), 128, 129 Bhartiya Navya Sanhita and section 24 of Maintenance and Welfare Parents and Senior Citizens Act , 2007 at Police Station Civil Lines.
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