In what is likely to be the first case of its kind in Meghalaya, a man will take his two sons to court to force them to financially provide for him and his wife.
The person, who did not wish to be named, said that his sons are central government employees but they have not been in touch with their parents for around a decade.
Under Indian law, children who are not minors have a duty to provide for their parents if required.
The plaintiff, who was in the merchant navy, took early retirement in 2012. When his two sons wanted to pursue further studies, he agreed to finance them on the condition that they repay him when they became employed.
However, both have allegedly reneged on their promise and have not even visited their parents since. The financial status of the parents has deteriorated because of the Covid-19 pandemic, he added, and his wife is currently living with their daughter.
Lawyer for the plaintiff, Fenella Lyngdoh Nonglait, said that the children have both moral responsibilities and legal obligations to look after the well-being of their elderly parents.
Nonglait, who has offered legal aid to take on the suit, said that this will be a landmark case in Meghalaya.
