The Gauhati High Court has sought a clear response from the governments of Nagaland, Assam, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh over their failure to establish old-age homes as mandated under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Ashutosh Kumar and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury issued the direction while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL/26/2026) filed by an advocate of the court.
The petition alleged that the four northeastern states have not set up old-age homes in accordance with Section 19(1) of the Act, which requires every state government to establish and maintain at least one old-age home in each district, with a minimum capacity of 150 indigent senior citizens.
Taking note of the submissions, the court observed that the states had failed to comply with the statutory mandate and sought a clear response on the issue.
The bench further noted that the information regarding the absence of such facilities was based on replies obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Issuing notices to the four state governments, the court directed them to file their responses by the next date of hearing on June 10, 2026.
