‘Tied up… left naked’: 3 rescued from Noida old age home after raid uncovers ‘distressing’ conditions

Officials, accompanied by police personnel from the Sector 58 police station, found many residents living in distressing and unsanitary conditions on Thursday. “In one room, there was a woman who was naked, a man who had soiled himself, and another woman whose hands and legs were tied,” said Sub-Inspector Maan Singh, who was part of the operation.

Officials said that while the three rescued residents have been shifted to a government shelter at Dankaur in Greater Noida, the remaining 39 will be relocated in the coming week. A notice has been issued to seal the premises of the trust running the facility, they added.

Meenakshi Bharala, a member of the women’s commission, said the shelter has been running illegally since 1994.

When The Indian Express visited the facility on Friday, the atmosphere seemed tense. The distraught secretary of the facility said she was ready to quit. Also present was Amarvir Singh, a member of the Trust that ran the facility.

The family members of the three rescued inmates, meanwhile, alleged that their kin were relocated to a government shelter without prior intimation. “They took my relative without informing me, even after I told them I was on the way. I have been told they did not want to leave, but were taken forcibly,” a woman claiming to be a family member told The Indian Express.

The home charges families a one-time “donation” of Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 6,000 per month for food, lodging, laundry, and care-giving facilities.

The rooms The Indian Express visited appeared equipped with basic amenities — bed, cooler, wardrobe, a small mandir, and an attached washroom. The premises also had a waiting ambulance, stretchers, wheelchairs, a canteen, a bigger temple, a library, and a lawn.

Social Welfare Officer Nitya Dwivedi, however, said the existing conditions were far from acceptable. “We found the elderly persons in distressing and unhygienic conditions. They were tied and locked up in basement-like rooms. There was hardly any support staff. This is unacceptable,” she added.

The other inmates also alleged that no caretaker is available at the premises after 7.30 pm.

A 76-year-old woman, who has been staying at the home for the last four years, said, “Everything is fine here… Some people are hard to handle due to their age. The only issue is that there is no caretaker here after 7.30 pm…”

The caretakers defended themselves, claiming they were overwhelmed and lacked support. “One elderly woman would tear her clothes, another would throw utensils at us… One of us tied her up just to be able to eat lunch in peace. Another had soiled his clothes, but we had not been informed,” claimed a staff member.

Despite the findings, no FIR has been registered so far. The Station House Officer of Sector 58 police station said the police are awaiting a formal investigation report from the Social Welfare department. “Only then can we take any legal action, such as sealing the premises or imposing fines.”

Another resident at the home said he favours this facility as it is not costly. “I was earlier at a mental health facility that charged Rs 15,000 a month and locked us in. Here, I can move freely and live for only Rs 6,000.”

The Trust that runs the home, meanwhile, is expected to address the media at noon on Saturday. “We are convening a meeting with all board members, we will submit all clearances and documents. Many families have also expressed interest in speaking to the press,” said Amarvir Singh.