Analyzing the Criminal Victimization of Elderly Persons and Senior Citizens in India- A Socio-Legal Study

Abstract

The act of committing a crime is a complex process that is the result of a sequence of connected
incidents and actions. Crime against senior adults and the elderly is rapidly increasing in India.
According to data from Help Age India 2019, the main abusers were the son (52%) and
daughter-in-law (34%). It has been observed that elderly people and senior citizens are the most
common targets of crime, including abuse, robbery, murder, extortion, cheating and sexual
offences by their relatives, family members, and neighbours. The total number of crimes
against senior adults in India in 2019 was 27,696, and the overall rate was 26%, according to
NCRB data. While there is law in place to prevent crimes against the elderly, further legislation
and effective measures are required to stop these crimes. Due to their advanced age and social
standing, the elderly are more likely to commit crimes. Regarding this crime, the judiciary and
legislature must take the initiative. There are laws against the criminalization of the elderly,
but they must be properly implemented. There should also be a community-based strategy,
including education and policing among the general population.