LUCKNOW, March 23 -- The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has ruled that authorities under the UP Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, do not have the power to adjudicate rival claims of ownership or possession of immovable property.

Justice Subhash Vidyarthi passed the judgment recently on a petition filed by one Magghu Ram, seeking directives to the district magistrate, Ayodhya, to protect his life and property under Section 22 of the UP Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007 and its rules.

The court held, "The protection of property of senior citizens would not extend to deciding rival claims regarding title of immovable property, which can only be done by a Competent Ci...