The recent murder of an elderly couple in Northwest Delhi on Tuesday morning has, besides shaking the conscience of society, raised serious concerns about ensuring the security of elderly people in this country.

Tuesday’s is not a single incident, rather incidents of crime against elderly persons frequently occur throughout the country, especially in bigger towns and metros.

The crimes against senior citizens in India have been continuously rising over the years. The NCRB Data from states is quite disappointing and shows that crimes against elderly people are increasing day by day. This makes it necessary to understand and address the causes that lead to crimes against the elderly and also to find ways to deal with this problem.

Past data reveals that a variety of crimes such as theft, robbery, cheating, forgery, and even murders frequently occur with elderly persons in India. At present, the biggest threat to elderly people is the commission of cybercrimes such as fraud and cheating with them by cyber fraudsters.

In India, particularly, those seniors are more susceptible to crimes who live in isolation from family and society, lack friends, and lack access to communication and transportation facilities etc. A lot of elderly people are gullible, forget things easily, and might feel ashamed to acknowledge they were harmed.

The criminals use data such as a victim’s social security number, bank account details, PAN number, and driver’s license number to finish a transaction or obtain additional personal information about them.

Security of elderly persons, though, should remain a primary concern, but, is often ignored.  Compared to younger people, the vulnerability and susceptibility of elderly people to the commission of crime is obvious due to various reasons. 

An increasing lack of physical and mental strength and easily believing people are among a few of the factors that make the elderly vulnerable to crime. Moreover, given the increasing number of nuclear families, with children living away from their parents, elderly people, especially, in urban households, are compelled to live alone which puts them at risk further.

The circumstances making older people live alone make them more vulnerable. The World Population Ageing Report from the United Nations estimates that 90 Million older people live alone globally.

Seniors who live alone in large homes are particularly vulnerable to physical crimes and become a target for financial scammers.

According to data from Helpage India, there are approximately at least 112 Million people over the age of 60 in India, and forty per cent of them live alone. As a result, they are easy targets for criminal activity and are more likely to experience severe effects from abuse.

One of the main causes of elderly people’s vulnerability is their lack of involvement in the community. Participating in social activities makes people feel safer than isolating themselves from others. Elders, who are unable to communicate with others and live alone, also remain apprehensive about their security and live under constant fear and anxiety.

In India, the joint and undivided family system played a significant role in the maintenance of traditional culture and also provided various types of security to family members. Older people were given better roles, prestige and privileges in such a family structure that ensured their overall security naturally.

However, the emergence of new forces in the administrative, ideological, and economic domains meant that India’s cultural life inevitably underwent a transition. In the last century, the fundamental idea of a joint family has undergone considerable change because of the development of cities and industries leading to nuclear families causing severe effects on senior citizen’s security among other things.

The adverse effect of this phenomenon though visible generally all over, seems more pervasive in bigger cities like Delhi and Mumbai, in particular.

As per the available data, Delhi is the most dangerous city in India’s metro areas.

However, to address this issue, the city has developed a fairly comprehensive and formal action plan for protecting and offering security to its senior citizens.

The Senior Citizen Security Cell was founded in June 2004, at the Police headquarters.

Its principal objective is to supervise, advise, and coordinate with the local police in matters about senior citizen security and safety.

The cell has established Senior Citizens Toll-Free Helplines and registered senior citizens who live alone with the police to exercise extra caution.

Verification of domestic help, drivers, servants, and tenants is done through special drives and mobilization of NGO members to offer lonely citizens emotional help. Even the Delhi High Court issued an order requiring schoolchildren to assist in providing support to the elderly in their community.

The task of arranging and supervising the interactions between the kids and senior citizens fell to the Delhi Police. They made requests to arrange for volunteer groups of students to visit the elderly person who the police had identified as vulnerable.

This initiative provides emotional aid to the elderly and serves as a link between the senior community and law enforcement.

Despite the above measures, Delhi still witnesses the occurrence of crimes against elderly people, but the Delhi model has certainly shown the path in this regard and it is advisable that other states also adopt the Delhi-like model for ensuring senior citizens’ security on a priority. Besides, given the consistent rise in crimes against senior citizens, there is a need for people in general to be educated about ageism and ageist attitudes. Moreover, given the challenges elderly people encounter as a result of their infirmities special crime control measures are required for their safety and security. Therefore, the states must establish policies, health, and social services, as well as a distinct criminal justice system to address as well as counteract this threat urgently.

The increasing crimes against senior citizens in India call for immediate and sustained intervention. While efforts like Delhi’s Senior Citizen Security Cell have shown promise, much more needs to be done nationwide.

Other states should adopt similar models, ensuring a proactive approach to senior safety, including police registration, background checks for household staff, and community support initiatives.

Beyond law enforcement, society must play a greater role in safeguarding the elderly. Families should maintain stronger connections with their senior members, and communities should foster inclusivity to prevent isolation.

Raising awareness about cyber fraud, financial scams, and physical crimes targeting seniors is crucial, along with encouraging them to report incidents without fear or hesitation.

The government must also enhance social and healthcare policies tailored to senior citizens, ensuring better access to support systems.

A distinct criminal justice framework focused on elderly protection, coupled with stringent legal measures, can help curb such crimes.Ultimately, the safety of senior citizens is not just a law enforcement issue but a societal responsibility.

By strengthening familial bonds, community participation, and governmental initiatives, we can create a safer environment for our elderly, ensuring they live with dignity, security, and peace.

(The writer is associate professor Faculty of Law University of Delhi. Views expressed are personal)