REDUCING INEQUALITIES THROUGH CRIMINAL LAW ENFORCEMENT: AN ANALYSIS OF PROTECTION MECHANISMS FOR PARENTS AND OLDER ADULTS IN GOA, INDIA

Within the confines of India, according to the 2011 Census, the number of older adults (citizens of 60 years and older) in the country was 10,38,00,000. Their anticipated population in the country for 2026 (as of March 1st) was estimated to be 17,32,00,000. The National Commission Technical Group’s study found Goa's population was 1,585,000, as of July 1, 2024.The population of Goa had been anticipated to reach 1.665 million by 2036. Numerous aged individuals were abandoned on the streets and compelled to beg after they are deemed unproductive by their families. Sustainable Development Goal (Reducing Inequalities) seeks to diminish inequalities on the basis of income, sex, disability, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion and opportunity including age and class. The present paper focuses on criminal laws prevalent in the state of Goa for reducing inequalities with regard to senior citizens. The study evaluated efficiency of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 (MWPSC ACT) in state of Goa with the help of data collected from the office of Maintenance Tribunals (2009-2024) in the State. The study found that the increasing number of cases indicated that the MWPSC Act was not acting as a deterrent to the commission of atrocities.