SC asks Centre to form policy on rehabilitation of mentally sick patients

The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Union of India to form a policy or a guideline on the rehabilitation of mentally sick patients or inmates.

The Apex court allotted eight weeks time to Centre to churn out guideline in the regard.

A bench of the Apex Court headed by Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, also comprising of Justices D. Y. Chandrachud and Sanjay Kishan Kaul passed the direction after hearing a petition filed by a lawyer, Gaurav Kumar Bansal

The apex court was hearing the PIL filed by advocate, Bansal, where the latter has sought courts intervention for the underprivileged persons who are still languishing in mental hospitals despite being cured of their ailments, as there is no policy in to ensure their well-being after release.

The plea for mental patients has sought issuance of directions to the states to forthwith make arrangements to shift the patients who are absolutely normal and are fit for discharge from the mental hospitals to any other secure place like old age home, etc.