In a shocking case from Umarani village, Belagavi, an elderly couple has been fighting for justice for 17 years after being thrown out of their home by their sons following a property dispute.
Ramanagara Gowda Patil (75) and his wife Shaila (65) approached the Chikkodi Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s Court on March 21, seeking their rightful share of the property. Ramanagara, a retired employee of Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), said their children have denied them entry into the house ever since his retirement. Five years ago, they also forced his mother out of the home. The couple now lives separately in Chikkodi.
“I cultivated 2 acres and 10 guntas of land and earned a livelihood. I also built a house. My wife had 150 grams of gold jewelry. But our children took everything, land and gold. Since my retirement, they have not supported us in any way. We’re facing severe hardship,” said Ramanagara.
He added that their age-related health issues have made life extremely difficult. “We can barely walk, and both of us suffer from back pain. We manage all our chores on our own. Shaila is mentally shattered. In medical emergencies, no one helps us. We are left with no means to survive,” he said.
“If children fail to care for their parents, the law allows us to reclaim our property. We believe in this law and are hopeful of getting justice,” he added.
“I have taken note of the grievances raised by senior citizens Ramanagara and Shaila. Justice will be delivered under the Senior Citizens Protection Act, 2007,” said Sub-Divisional Officer Subhash Sampagaon.
