New Delhi, Dec. 12 -- Persons intentionally abusing their parents or senior citizens under their care and protection or abandoning them may be sentenced to six months' imprisonment or slapped with a fine of Rs 10,000 or both, according to the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019, introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
The legislation defines "abuse" as physical, verbal, emotional and economic abuse, neglect and abandonment, causing assault, injury, physical or mental suffering. "Children" in relation to a parent or a senior citizen means son or daughter, whether biological, adoptive or step-child, and includes son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandson, grand-daughter and legal guardians of minor chil...