As per the Parens patriae doctrine, the State is given the responsibility of taking care of persons who are unable to take care of themselves like orphaned children, persons with disabilities, senior citizens etc.
In an order passed on June 10, Justice GR Swaminathan of the Madurai bench directed the Tamil Nadu government to provide “lifelong accommodation and medicare” to a 20-year-old mentally disabled man.
The Court was hearing a petition filed by the man’s parents, who are daily wage labourers. The petitioners told the Court that they neither have the financial resources nor the emotional capacity to continue taking care of their son.
Source: Barandbench
