Senior Citizen Safety / Rising crimes against senior citizens in Bhubaneswar raise safety concerns

Bhubaneswar, Nov 6: The brutal murder of an elderly woman in Bhubaneswar's Laxmisagar area has once again brought the safety of senior citizens under scrutiny. The case has also highlighted a disturbing trend seen in several high-profile crimes over the past decade, where trusted caregivers, domestic helpers or security personnel allegedly turned perpetrators.

On November 4, the blood-stained body of Kunjalata Nanda was recovered from her residence in Laxmisagar. Her hands and legs had reportedly been tied. Gold ornaments weighing around 40-50 grams, Rs60,000 in cash and a scooter were found missing from the house. Police suspect the involvement of caretaker Balabhadra Maharana, who remains absconding.

Following the incident, the Police Commissioner urged residents to submit complete details of caretakers and domestic workers to the nearest police station for verification.

A History of Similar Crimes

The tragedy is not an isolated incident. Bhubaneswar and other parts of Odisha have witnessed several cases in which elderly persons became victims of people they trusted.

In September 2013, Bachansudha Pattnaik was murdered at Rasulgarh allegedly by her security guard, Dipti Ranjan. The accused was later sentenced to life imprisonment in 2021.

The same year, retired bank officer Balaram Sahu was found murdered at Kalinga Nagar with his hands and legs tied.

In November 2015, retired doctor Prafulla Mishra and his wife Sushama Mishra were killed at their Sailashree Vihar residence. Investigators later identified a domestic helper as the prime accused in the conspiracy. In 2024, five persons were sentenced to life imprisonment in the case.

Similar incidents have surfaced elsewhere in Odisha, including a double murder case in Cuttack and another involving a 90-year-old woman and her daughter in Sambalpur.
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Safety Concerns

According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2022, Odisha recorded 551 cases of crimes against senior citizens, compared with 326 in 2020 and 210 in 2021. The year also witnessed four murders of senior citizens, besides 29 theft and five robbery cases.

The figures have reignited questions about police verification of domestic workers, regular patrolling in neighbourhoods with elderly residents, and the effectiveness of mechanisms meant to protect citizens living alone. As families increasingly rely on caretakers and domestic help, ensuring the safety of senior citizens remains an urgent challenge.