In the home located in Sector 55 in Noida, supposed to be a refuge for the elderly, Rani was allegedly denied food and the company of other inmates for trying to be ‘friendly and social’. Rani’s niece who had shifted her to this home alleged that the family had deposited Rs 1 lakh for her life long-stay in the home. The management, she said, has threatened to throw her out if she tries to be friendly with others.

Relatives say Rani’s husband and two sons live and run their business in Old Delhi. The sons are married. They have all deserted her for property.

Sunita Khurana, Rani’s niece, said that she had called her three days ago and complained that the old age home manager had abused her. “She told us that the old age home had stopped her food from the mess. The others in the home have been warned not to talk to Rani. She was asked to leave the home. We had appointed a tiffinwala to supply her food but were not allowed inside the home to meet her,” Sunita alleged.

According to the relatives, every senior citizen is made to pay a monthly rent of Rs 2,500 besides the Rs 1 lakh charged at the time of admission for a life-long stay as donation for the home.

“We gave Rs 1 lakh because we thought that this money would give her a home for life. After she was harassed and asked to vacate the old age home, we asked them to refund the money. They said it was donation and could not be refunded,” alleged Sunder Khurana, her son-in-law.