A Disabled Couple Wants Compensation From Their Son Who Renounced The World And Became A Sadhu

A disabled couple has sought legal recourse after their elder son renounced the world and became a sadhu with a religious sect.

Crushed at the prospect of losing their old age crutch to spirituality, father Lilabhai (64), a retired government servant and mother Bhikhiben (62), have taken legal recourse seeking monetary compensation in lieu of investing their life saving of Rs 20 lakh in son Dharmesh¡¯s (27) education.

On Monday, the aged couple made their submission to Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA), a staterun legal aid centre, saying they have monetary obligations which is higher than Lilabhai¡¯s pension of Rs 30,000.

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¡°We are disabled. Our younger son does not have a steady job due to his mental condition. We rely on our elder son to fulfill his responsibility towards us. We believe he has been brainwashed when he says he does not want anything to do with us. We have first sought counselling as we harbour the hope of reconciliation,¡± said Lilabhai.

The physically handicapped couple residing in Ambawadi had pinned their hopes on elder son Dharmesh.

Dharmesh was adamant about his choice

Brilliant in academics, Dharmesh completed his masters in pharmacy from prestigious National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER). Parents were ensured of a comfortable retired life after Dharmesh landed a well paying job at a major pharmaceutical company.

The joy soon turned into shock and despair when Dharmesh left home to join a religious sect in 2015. He embraced saffron and took diksha as a sadhu. Parents cried conspiracy and made efforts in vain to bring him back to the worldly life.

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Dharmesh remained adamant about his choice and devoted self in the sect¡¯s works. In August this year, the couple sought intervention of Gujarat State Legal Service Authority (GSLSA) to get some monetary help from their sadhu son claiming they had invested over Rs 20 lakh for his education hoping the son would look after them well in old age.

Dharmesh, in his reply to legal counsellors, underscored that he has chosen to become a sadhu out of his own free will. He alleged his parents of mental harassment, accusing them of attempt to abduct him in a bid to deter him from his spiritual path.

¡°Dharmesh told us that he is a sadhu now and does not have any monetary means to sustain his parents. He asked the parents instead to look at his younger brother for the sustenance,¡± legal experts at GSLSA said.

Counselors heard both sides and have sought a middle path. ¡°We have asked both parties to pursue a middle path. We asked the sadhu son to find means to support his parents. Parents were counselled that they cannot hold a religious institution accountable for their son¡¯s choice or expect the return for what expense made after their son¡¯s education. Parents have been an option to move court for maintenance,¡± GSLSA experts said.