SC acts to ensure dignified life for Odisha mother-son duo

New Delhi: To ensure that a life of dignity is granted to them, Supreme Court on Tuesday passed a slew of directions to secure social security for an elderly Odisha woman and her visually-impaired son reportedly living in extreme poverty.

A bench of CJI Surya Kant and justice V Mohana issued the directions as part of a suo motu case registered this week to ensure the welfare of persons with disabilities who live in poverty.

The bench said that its focus was not merely on the existence of welfare schemes, but on whether they translated into a dignified life in reality. The bench took note of the precarious living conditions of Japa Bhue, who has been visually impaired since birth according to a report, and his mother Radhika Bhue.


The bench sought information about the social security measures available to the mother-son duo. It sought information pertaining to the old age pension, if any, being received by the mother and social security benefits, if any, being extended to her.