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By:

C.S. Krishnamurthy

21 June 2025 at 2:15:51 pm

Parents Before Property

The Bombay High Court’s recent decision upholding the cancellation of a gift deed executed by elderly parents in favour of their son is more than a legal victory. It is a timely reminder that parenthood cannot be reduced to a property transaction. By affirming that parents may revoke a property transfer when children fail to honour their obligation of care and support, the Court has reinforced a principle that is both legal and moral. The verdict in the Ashwin Ramesh Soni v. Ramesh Bachaulal...

Parents Before Property

The Bombay High Court’s recent decision upholding the cancellation of a gift deed executed by elderly parents in favour of their son is more than a legal victory. It is a timely reminder that parenthood cannot be reduced to a property transaction. By affirming that parents may revoke a property transfer when children fail to honour their obligation of care and support, the Court has reinforced a principle that is both legal and moral. The verdict in the Ashwin Ramesh Soni v. Ramesh Bachaulal Soni & Ors., reinforces the objective of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. The Court recognised that when parents transfer property with the legitimate expectation of being cared for, and that expectation is wilfully defeated, the law can restore justice. A gift founded on trust cannot survive when that trust is fundamentally breached. The judgement raises uncomfortable questions. What does it say about society when ageing parents must seek justice against their own children? Why should those who devoted a lifetime to raising families spend their twilight years proving that they deserve dignity? Have we begun to mistake inheritance for entitlement and affection for convenience? Changing Times These are not merely legal questions. They reflect the changing character of Indian families. India takes pride in its tradition of strong family bonds. Close-knit families, cherished traditions and an enduring culture of honouring parents have long defined our collective identity. Such images have long symbolised the country’s cultural strength. But growing reports of elder abuse present a sobering reality. Many parents experience neglect, emotional humiliation or isolation within homes they built. Some are confined to a single room after transferring property. Others are abandoned altogether. The emotional trauma often outweighs the financial loss. The ruling recognises what may be called an unwritten family contract. Parents spend decades sacrificing personal comforts to educate children, fund their ambitions, conduct weddings and build family assets. In return, they expect not luxury but companionship, care, respect and emotional security. By acknowledging that certain family transactions rest on mutual trust rather than legal formalities alone, the Court has reaffirmed that the law will protect vulnerable senior citizens when that trust is exploited. Reports frequently describe retired parents evicted from homes gifted to children, widowed mothers fighting prolonged legal battles for shelter, and elderly couples seeking police protection against their own offspring. Many such cases remain hidden because families fear social stigma more than personal suffering. Family Trust The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 was enacted precisely because traditional family safeguards were proving inadequate. Section 23 empowers authorities to declare property transfers void when they are made on the understanding that the recipient will provide for the transferor's basic needs, but subsequently fails to do so. The verdict has given practical meaning to this safeguard by making it clear that the law will not remain a silent spectator when trust is betrayed. Some critics argue that legal intervention weakens family relationships. The opposite is true. Good laws exist not because every family fails but because some do. Just as traffic laws protect responsible drivers from reckless ones, laws safeguarding parents protect families from exploitation without diminishing genuine affection. But society also has responsibilities. Financial advisers should caution senior citizens against transferring valuable assets prematurely. In many situations, a well-drafted will offers greater protection than an outright gift deed. Where property is transferred during one's lifetime, expectations regarding care and maintenance should be clearly documented to minimise future disputes. Children should remember that caring for ageing parents is not charity. It is gratitude expressed through everyday actions. I recall meeting an elderly gentleman at a bank several years ago. He proudly showed me documents transferring his house to his only son and remarked with complete confidence, “Now I have no worries. My son will take care of everything.” His face reflected absolute trust. Thankfully, countless children justify such trust every day. But when that faith is broken, the emotional consequences can be devastating. Indian culture has long viewed caring for parents as a privilege, not a burden. Honouring parents goes beyond living together. A caring phone call, a visit during illness, financial support or shared moments can bring comfort, dignity and belonging. Loneliness often wounds seniors more deeply than disease. When parents must approach courts for protection from their own children, it is time for society to introspect. (The writer is a retired banker and author. He can be reached at krs1957@hotmail.com. Views personal.)

Aapulki—Where Young Minds Find a Safe Harbour

In an age where students are constantly juggling expectations, racing against deadlines, and battling unseen emotional storms, mental well-being often takes a back seat. While classrooms focus on grades and playgrounds shape physical fitness, the silent struggles of young minds frequently go unnoticed. Breaking this long-standing pattern, Nanded Education Society’s Science College, Nanded, has stepped up to the plate by launching an innovative initiative, ‘Aapulki,’ a dedicated mental health support center, under the guidance of President Dr Venkatesh Kabde, Vice-President CA Dr Praveen Patil, and Secretary Shyamal Patki, that places compassion at the very heart of education.


True to its name, which signifies warmth, care, and emotional closeness, 'Aapulki' offers students a safe space to open up and find their footing. At a time when pressure threatens to overwhelm, this initiative stands as a timely reminder that nurturing the mind is just as important as sharpening the intellect. What is Aapulki? It is more than a word, more than a programme, and far more than a room within college walls. Aapulki is the warmth in relationships, the quiet glow of affection, and the sense of belonging that makes one feel heard, understood, and cared for. Giving this very name to a mental health support center is not accidental; it is deeply intentional.


Recognising that students today are often caught between academic pressure and emotional turbulence, the college has taken a pioneering step by setting up a dedicated mental health support center named ‘Aapulki.’ Just as sports teachers are appointed at schools and colleges to nurture physical fitness, the college acknowledged the equally vital need for mental well-being. By reading the writing on the wall and understanding the silent struggles of students, the college has brought mental health out of the shadows and into the mainstream of campus life.


The idea of the ‘Aapulki’ center was proposed by renowned cardiologist and president of Nanded Education Society, former MP Dr Venkatesh Kabde. The choice of the name itself speaks volumes. The word carries compassion within it; it invites rather than intimidates. Dr Kabde believed that a support center should not feel clinical or distant but should draw students in, helping them open up without hesitation. When the name itself feels like a gentle embrace, half the battle is already won. The center is coordinated by Sangeeta Modi, with Chaitali Kakde providing counselling support.


The center was inaugurated on September 26, 2025, in the presence of Dr Venkatesh Kabde and Kunjama Kabde, along with the principal, Dr L.P Shinde, Vice-Principal Eknath Khillare, faculty members, and students. The occasion marked not just the opening of a facility but the beginning of a more empathetic academic culture.


At its heart, ‘Aapulki’ aims to support students navigating emotional storms and help them get back on their feet. In an age where anxiety, stress, and emotional overload are becoming part of everyday life, the center works as an anchor, enabling students to cope, adapt, and grow. It focuses on students’ emotional, mental, and academic development, helping them deal with pressure related to studies, relationships, and self-expectations.


The purpose of the Aapulki Mental Health Support Centre is clear: to safeguard students’ mental well-being by offering emotional support in a safe and trustworthy environment. It provides a space where students can speak freely about stress, anxiety, depression, and other psychological concerns without fear of being judged. Here, problems are not brushed under the carpet; they are talked through, worked on, and gradually resolved.


Initially, the center was started with students of Class XI and XII in mind. Over time, as the ‘Aapulki’ word spread and trust grew, undergraduate and postgraduate students from BSc and MSc courses also began to seek support. Counselling sessions may be individual or group-based.


Two guiding principles form the backbone of Aapulki. The first is privacy; everything shared by a student remains strictly confidential. The second is a non-judgmental approach; students are never labeled or criticised based on their problems. These golden rules encourage students to speak their minds openly and unburden their hearts without holding back.


(The writer is a journalist based in Latur. Views personal.)

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