Getting trapped in a legal hassle is last thing most people might want but an increasing number of elderly people are filing legal cases driven by their addiction and ego problem,says a survey. Conducted by Delhi-based NGO Agewell Foundation in Delhi and NCR,the survey aims at identifying the factors that push older persons into court cases and to understand their level of activeness in the struggle for legal justice. It covered over 3000 older persons (in three age groups - 60-69 years,70-79 years and 80 plus) of Delhi and NCR involved in various legal cases. The target area was divided into nine geographical zones ¿ South Delhi,North Delhi,West Delhi,East Delhi,Central Delhi,Noida,Gurgaon,Faridabad and Ghaziabad. 55 per cent older persons between 60-69 years were found fighting legal cases,while in the age group of 80 plus years,it was 16.93 per cent. Surprisingly,the number of people fighting two legal battles was found to be 70 per cent out of total litigating older persons. 38.6 per cent had more than four cases pending with various courts. According to 59.2 per cent older persons in all the three age groups,it is their compulsion to attend courts due to old pending cases,whereas 40.8 per cent boast they are fighting for legal justice. The survey also reveals interesting facts about the sudden increase in litigating older persons. Over 55 per cent said that due to plenty of free time available with them they can fight and prepare for their legal battle,for which earlier they had no time. 41 per cent gave priority to their changed attitude towards life and judiciary over the years. They say they could not fight for their rights earlier due to various family and career responsibilities. Getting the family respect was also one of the reasons. For a total of 72.5 per cent litigating older persons,this passion of legal relief erupted from the fact that they wanted family members to believe that they are fighting for their benefit and hence establish a value to get looked after by the children,through which they are able to make their life a bit more comfortable. "I am fighting against a financial fraud. I have plenty of time since I am retired now and do not want my son to run between his office and court," says 68-year-old Jagdish Gupta from Gurgaon. Interestingly,majority of older persons (56.3 per cent) were fighting legal cases just due to their ego problem or due to addiction for fighting legal cases. "I fight for social causes. I am already caught in three cases but that does not stop me from demanding what is right," says 73-year-old Kamal Sinha,a retired bank employee from South Delhi. The major challenges before the senior citizens were found to be stress,economic dependence,neglect of medical care,confinement and emotional and physical abuse. "This trend clearly reflects the changing mindset of elderly people. It seems that new generation of older persons is much aware of their rights and responsibilities," says Himanshu Rath,founder,Agewell foundation. "Definitely there is an urgent need to set up special fast track courts for senior citizens,which will encourage older persons to fight against crime and make a crime-free society" he adds. Psychologist Sanjay Chugh says," Older people have a lot of time at hand. They may suffer from emptiness syndrome as family members may not be around. This leads to frustration and change of thoughts. They start thinking that people are against them and they need to get justice."
