After death of 12, HC tells government to send back 282 inmates to hospice

A division bench comprising Justice CT Selvam and Justice N Sathishkumar before whom the HCP moved by Rev V Thomas, MD of the hospice came up, also directed the Kancheepuram District Social Welfare Officer to appear before it on Wednesday and explain the cause of death of the 12 inmates as well as the basis on which the inmates were taken away without the District Collector’s knowledge and permission. 

Justice Selvam also observed that even in our own house, we sometimes hesitate to serve old-age people whereas the hospice with a good intention is serving the old age people. What is the need to interfere? 

The petitioner had contended that since 2011 the institution has been providing care and protection to the dying destitute, who were either abandoned or orphaned by their family at public places. But due to mala fide or vested interest, a local politician G Karunakaran, in collusion with a local contractor, who constructed the Hospice buildings, demanded illegal money from the petitioner. 

On refusal, he created and induced the authorities and made several anonymous complaints against the petitioner, assassinating the character of members as well as the institution. 

As a result, 294 inmates of the home were shifted to unknown places by the authorities. Their whereabouts were unknown, and they were kept in illegal custody, the petitioner said and noted that one among them who was dropped on the road returned to the Hospice on his own. 

In this connection, a representation was sent to the State on March 21, but since there was no response from the authorities, there was no choice but to move the court, the petitioner added.