Amritsar: Elderly Woman Unchained but Still Homeless as Family Neglect Persists
In a distressing case from Amritsar, 75-year-old Prerana Devi, who was reportedly kicked out of her home and chained to a porch for days, was finally unchained by her family on Friday. However, this small act of removing the chains has brought little relief, as the frail woman continues to live outside her house, highlighting ongoing neglect despite intervention from the Punjab State Women Commission.
Rescue Efforts and Hospital Admission
Harsimran Singh, secretary of the JSS organization, detailed their efforts to help Prerana Devi. "We rescued her and admitted her to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital on April 14," he said. "We arranged treatment at our own expense, aiming to provide her with the medical care she desperately needed."
Singh alleged that the situation took a turn for the worse when her relatives arrived at the hospital. "They argued with doctors and forcibly got her discharged," he explained. "After taking her back, they again kept her outside the house. Her relatives are financially stable, but they are mistreating her in a shocking manner." He added that her weight had plummeted to around 22 kg, underscoring the severity of her condition.
Official Intervention and Ongoing Inquiry
The case gained attention after a video of Prerana Devi being chained surfaced on April 15, prompting the Punjab State Women Commission to take suo motu cognisance. The commission has sought a detailed report from the Amritsar deputy commissioner and commissioner of police by April 20 to address the alleged human rights violations.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh confirmed the official response. "We have marked an inquiry into this matter," he stated. "Concerned officers will visit the spot and submit a comprehensive report to ensure justice is served."
Critical Condition Despite Unchaining
JSS members revisited the site on April 17 and found that while Prerana Devi was no longer chained, her situation remained dire. "Today, when we visited again, she was not chained, but she was still lying outside the house in a very poor condition," Singh reported. "Even animals are not treated in such a manner, which highlights the gravity of this neglect."
Local residents have corroborated these claims, alleging that she was previously tied with a heavy chain and left without proper food, further exacerbating her frail health.
Calls for Immediate Action
Harsimran Singh emphasized the seriousness of the case, calling it a severe human rights violation. "This is extremely serious and demands urgent attention," he asserted. "Authorities must conduct an immediate investigation and take strict action against those responsible to prevent such atrocities in the future."
As the inquiry progresses, the focus remains on ensuring Prerana Devi receives the care and protection she deserves, with hopes that legal measures will bring accountability and relief to her suffering.
