Overview
- A bench of Justices P. S. Narasimha and R. Mahadevan ordered the writ to be renumbered as an NHRC complaint for monitoring and disposal as per law.
- The Court recorded the Centre’s affidavit stating that the Central Mental Health Authority, State Mental Health Authorities and Mental Health Review Boards have been constituted.
- NHRC was directed to issue notices to the statutory bodies and ensure states that have not set up the required authorities comply and function effectively.
- The 2018 PIL by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal cited alleged chaining of persons with mental illness at a faith-based facility in Budaun, Uttar Pradesh, as a breach of statutory protections and dignity.
- The bench underscored that chaining people with mental illness violates Article 21, while the petitioner referenced the National Mental Health Survey 2016 indicating substantial unmet mental health needs.