Persons suffering from leprosy should be brought to mainstream: SC

The Supreme Court today asked the Centre to consider framing law to stop discrimination against persons suffering from leprosy, saying they should be brought to the mainstream and their rehabilitation ensured.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra told the Centre to consider framing such a law which would repeal all state laws that discriminate against those affected by the disease.

It also asked Attorney General K K Venugopal and senior advocate Raju Ramachandran to give suggestions in this regard.

In response, Additional Solicitor General Pinky Anand, appearing for the Centre, told the bench that a legislation was underway and four months was required for the process to be completed.

The bench listed the PIL filed by Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy (VCLP) for further hearing on September 10.

The apex court had earlier asked the Centre, states and union territories to undertake a campaign to make people aware about the curability of leprosy so that those suffering from it do not face discrimination.

It had recommended to the Centre and the states to repeal archaic provisions from 119 statutes which discriminated against and stigmatise those affected by the disease, while also directing that no government hospital shall decline treatment to such patients.

VCLP, in its PIL, had listed 119 state and central laws that discriminated against leprosy patients and stigmatised them.

Earlier too, the apex court had asked the Centre and the states to "rise to the occasion" and work for eradication of "curable" leprosy, besides removing the archaic provisions from laws that discriminate against and stigmatise those affected.

The PIL said that such outdated provisions denied them access to public services, impose disqualifications on them under personal laws and prohibited them from occupying or standing for public posts or office.

It referred to one such provision of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 that allows dissolution of marriage if one of the partners has been "suffering from a virulent and incurable form of leprosy."