The Supreme Court has come to the aid of an octogenarian woman and her visually impaired son from Bagadia village in Odisha’s Subarnapur district, taking suo motu cognisance of newspaper reports highlighting the dire conditions in which they were living. The court directed the State government to ensure that they receive all eligible social security benefits and basic amenities so that they can live a “dignified life”.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice V. Mohana issued the directions in a suo motu case registered on Monday (June 15, 2026) concerning the welfare of persons with disabilities living in extreme poverty.

The Bench observed that its concern was not whether welfare schemes merely existed on paper, but whether the mother and son were actually able to avail the benefits to which they were entitled under various government programmes.

“We are, however, only concerned about the sustenance and dignified life of Japa Bhue, who has been blind since birth, and his 80-year-old mother, Smt. Radhika Bhue... The State of Odisha and its authorities are directed to ensure that all basic amenities are made available to Smt. Radhika Bhue and her son Japa Bhue till further orders,” the Bench said.

On Tuesday (June 16, 2026), advocate Mithu Jain, appearing for the Odisha government, informed the Bench that a dwelling unit had already been allotted to the octogenarian and her son. She further submitted that Ms. Bhue receives an old-age pension of ₹3,500 per month, while her son receives a disability pension of ₹3,500 per month. The family is also provided with free rice under a government welfare scheme.

Seeks report

The Bench, however, directed the State Legal Services Authority to submit a report verifying whether a dwelling unit had in fact been allotted to the mother and son. In the event no such benefit had been extended, the court said the State government must ensure that the social security measure was provided without delay.

To ascertain the family’s living conditions, the Bench directed the Secretary of the concerned District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to visit them during the course of the day and interact with them. It further ordered that if Ms. Bhue or her son requires immediate medical assistance, the DLSA shall coordinate with the Chief Medical Officer concerned and make the necessary arrangements.

The Bench also instructed the State government to induct Mr. Bhue as a para-legal volunteer, observing that it would provide him with a source of livelihood while enabling him to assist other persons with disabilities in accessing benefits available under various Central and State government schemes.

“On such engagement, Japa Bhue shall be paid an honorarium uninterruptedly, and such honorarium shall not be less than the minimum wages notified by the State of Odisha under the Minimum Wages Act,” the Bench directed.

To file affidavit

The court also directed the State government to file a separate affidavit, sworn by an officer not below the rank of Additional Chief Secretary, detailing the social security benefits extended to the mother and son. It is to indicate whether Ms. Bhue has been granted old-age pension, the quantum of pension being paid to her, the welfare benefits available to her under various government schemes, and whether those benefits, together with any arrears, have been disbursed.

The State has also been asked to indicate whether her son is in receipt of disability pension and other welfare benefits for which he is eligible, and whether all such benefits have been duly disbursed.

The court posted the matter for hearing on July 13, 2026, to review compliance with its directions.

Media reports had highlighted that the mother and son were living in abject poverty in a dilapidated house despite being eligible for several welfare schemes. Their circumstances reportedly worsened after the death of the family’s sole breadwinner, leaving them dependent on neighbours for basic sustenance.