Abandonment and Other Offences

6.1 Section 24 — Abandonment (Desertion)

The offence: Whoever, being a person responsible for the maintenance of a senior citizen, leaves such senior citizen in any place with the intent to wholly abandon such person.

Punishment: Imprisonment up to 3 months or fine up to ₹5,000 or both.

Who is "responsible for maintenance": Any children or relatives on whom the maintenance obligation falls under the Act.

6.2 Significance of Section 24

Section 24 is important because it criminalises the social problem of elder abandonment — increasingly common in India as families break down and elderly people are left in temples, railway stations, and hospitals without any identification or family support.

The punishment may seem light (3 months maximum), but the symbolism and the threat of criminal record is significant as a deterrent.

6.3 Other Offences

The Act does not create other specific criminal offences — the enforcement of maintenance orders is through warrant and imprisonment for default (Section 11) rather than through criminal charges.

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