HC Seeks Centre, Delhi Govt's Response On Plea For COVID Testing Of Mentally Ill Homeless Persons

On Thursday, the High Court of Delhi sought a response from Centre, Govt. of Delhi & others on a petition seeking to issue guidelines with respect to Coronavirus testing facility for mentally ill homeless persons.

A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel & Justice Prateek Jalan issued notice to the Union of India through Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Delhi Govt & IHBAS hospital on a Public Interest Litigation filed by Gaurav Kumar Bansal, a mental health activist & a Lawyer practicing disability-related laws, & posted the matter for further hearing on July 9.

The PIL submitted that the petitioner had approached the Delhi Govt while dealing with the issues relating to the mental health of homeless persons with mental illness.

It also alleged that wilful, deliberate, & intentional ignorance of Chief Secretary of Delhi on the matter was not only contemptuous but also highlight the fact that the Government of NCT of Delhi has not seriously taken the issue related to the lack of guidelines with respect to Coronavirus testing of mentally ill homeless persons.

The petition submitted that the same petition was heard by the High Court of Delhi on June 9 & directed Chief Secretary of the Govt of NCT of Delhi to address the grievances related to homeless mentally ill persons in accordance with the law.

It said that the petitioner also made a representation dated June 13 to the Chief Secretary, Govt of NCT of Delhi, & reminded him about the duty of the Govt to provide the treatment to the mentally ill homeless persons living in Delhi.

The plea said that "Homeless mentally ill persons being a neglected group within a vulnerable section of our society not only need special care & attention but also require regular support from the government as well as society".

It added that "However, a crisis like the present COVID-19 pandemic puts additional responsibility on the government shoulders to formulate & implement such public health programmes for homeless mentality ill persons which are not only able to provide mental health treatment but can also effectively protect them from the said deadly virus".

The petition said that as per Section 3 (3) of the Mental Healthcare Act-2017, it is the duty of the Delhi Govt to take all necessary measures for providing a range of services required by persons with mental illness.

Source Link