NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has expressed concern over the decline of family values in India. It highlighted a rise in property disputes where children and parents are fighting legal battles over ownership and maintenance. The court warned that India is moving toward a “one person, one family” structure.
A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and S N Bhatti referred to the traditional belief of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning the world is one family. However, they noted that even immediate families struggle to stay united today. This remark came while ruling on a property dispute where parents sought to evict their son from their home.
The Supreme Court clarified that the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act does not explicitly mention eviction. However, eviction is allowed if necessary to protect elderly parents. The court overturned an appellate tribunal’s order that directed the man’s removal. It ruled that since the son was providing care and financial support to his parents, eviction was unnecessary.
