Court Orders Comprehensive Reforms to Address Deplorable Conditions in State's Mental Health Centres
In a landmark judgment, the Kerala High Court has issued a directive to the State Government to undertake urgent and comprehensive reforms in the mental health facilities across Kerala. The court's decision comes in the wake of a suo motu writ petition filed by the High Court Legal Services Committee, highlighting the appalling conditions and human rights violations in the state's mental health centres.
The division bench, comprising Justices Devan Ramachandran and Basant Balaji, conducted inspections of mental health centres in Calicut, Thiruvananthapuram, and Thrissur. The court found the conditions in these centres to be deplorable, with isolation wards resembling cages rather than hospital spaces, crumbling infrastructure, and a severe lack of necessary staff and security measures.
The judgment emphasizes that the conditions observed violate the Mental HealthCare Act, 2017, particularly Section 97(1), which prohibits solitary confinement except under rare circumstances. The court underscored that patients in these centres are entitled to constitutional protections, including the right to live with dignity, and that the state cannot use resource constraints as an excuse for failing to uphold these rights.
The court's order highlights several critical issues, including the need for improved infrastructure, sufficient staffing, proper security, and the enrollment of patients in the "Aadhar" system to ensure they receive their entitled benefits. The judgment also calls for the removal of isolation cells, enhancement of security measures, and better access to essential medicines and medical equipment.
The court has directed the Secretary of the Health and Social Welfare Department and the Secretary of the Social Justice Department to submit a comprehensive report detailing the remedial measures taken or planned, along with specific timelines for their implementation, by the next hearing date on September 8, 2026.
This ruling is seen as a significant step towards ensuring humane and dignified treatment for patients in mental health facilities and holds the state accountable for safeguarding their fundamental rights.
Bottom Line :
Mental Health Centres - Conditions in isolation wards and overall infrastructure in mental health centres in Kerala found to be deplorable and violative of fundamental rights of patients - State directed to take immediate remedial measures.
Statutory provision(s): Mental HealthCare Act, 2017 Section 97(1)
High Court Legal Services Committee v. State of Kerala, (Kerala)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2966501
