Court Directs Extended Awareness Campaign, Postpones Paid Senior Citizen Admissions to Ensure Proper Utilization for Mental Health Patients
The Punjab and Haryana High Court, in a significant ruling, has issued interim measures concerning the management and operation of the Group Home located in Sector 31-C, Chandigarh. The decision, delivered by the Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry, aims to ensure the facility's primary purpose of serving mentally ill patients is not overshadowed by its occupancy by paid senior citizens.
In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Jatinder Maan and another, the petitioners challenged the UT Administration's decision to share the Group Home with paid senior citizens due to low occupancy by mental health patients. The petitioners argued that the exorbitant security deposit, which was initially set at Rs. 20 lakhs and later reduced to Rs. 3 to Rs. 6 lakhs, deterred potential applicants. They further contended that the brief application windows of four and six weeks were inadequate and poorly publicized.
Acknowledging the concerns, the court has mandated a three-month-long awareness campaign to encourage mentally ill individuals to apply for admission. Following this, a two-month window will be provided for applications from such patients. During this period, the admission of new paid senior citizens will be postponed, although those already admitted will not be affected. Pending applications from senior citizens may be received but will not be processed until further orders.
Moreover, the court has instructed the UT Administration to ensure the availability of adequate professional and Class-IV staff to support the Group Home's operations. Additionally, the court noted the lack of meetings by the Executive Committee of the UTTHAAN society since November 2025 and directed that a meeting be convened within the next week to adhere to Article 13 of the Memorandum.
The court has sought a compliance report on these directives and scheduled the next hearing for July 23, 2026.
Bottom line:-
Interim measures directed by the Court for the management and operation of Group Home, Sector 31-C, Chandigarh to ensure proper utilization for mentally ill patients and to address concerns regarding occupancy by paid senior citizens.
Statutory provision(s):
- Article 13 of the Memorandum of UTTHAAN Society
Jatinder Maan v. UT Chandigarh, (Punjab And Haryana)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2911759
