Financial Exploitation Of The Elderly: Identifying Vulnerabilities And Strengthening Protective Legal Mechanisms In India
- IJLLR Journal
- 24 minutes ago
- 1 min read
Dr. Girija Nand, Assistant Professor of Law, Sant Baba Bhag Singh University, Jalandhar.
ABSTRACT
India has a large population of elderly people, with more than 140 million individuals aged 60 and older. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to more than 300 million. Financial exploitation has become one of the most common but underreported types of elder abuse in this increasingly ageing population. This conduct erodes the economic security, self-respect, and independence of elderly individuals. This research offers a thorough examination of financial exploitation affecting the elderly in India, exploring the structural weaknesses that facilitate such exploitation, the legal instruments intended to prevent it, the notable deficiencies that continue to exist within these systems, and the reforms needed to strengthen protective measures. Based on Indian legal precedents, national laws, demographic data, and studies on aging, this paper argues that protecting the financial rights of older adults in India requires more than just enacting stricter laws. India is at a demographic crossroads. A coordinated approach is needed, including legal enforcement, judicial education, community awareness, and digital literacy.
Keywords: senior financial abuse, India, Maintenance and Welfare of Parents Act 2007, aged rights, property fraud, digital financial fraud, legal protection, ageing population
