A total of 1,294 minors killed themselves in Delhi in the past 5 years, the Delhi Police told the Apex Court in response to a petition seeking effective implementation of a public health programme for prevention of suicides in the nation.

In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the Delhi Police said it is following the mandate of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 "in letter & spirit".

It said it is maintaining the data with respect to suicides in Delhi & in the last 5 years, 1,294 suicidal deaths of people below the age of eighteen have been reported.

Giving the year-wise data, Delhi Police said in 2014-188, 2015-211, 2016-227, 2017-242, 2018-277 & in 2019-149 deaths by suicide were reported of children below the age of eighteen years.

However, It said in the past 5 years till Sept 15, 2019, no case of attempt to suicide by children below the age of eighteen years have been reported in the NCT of Delhi.

The affidavit has been filed by Delhi Police in response to a petition by Lawyer Gaurav Kumar Bansal, who also sought a direction to all states & Union Territories to start a project to provide support & advice through call centres & helplines to persons with suicidal thoughts.

The petition is likely to come up for hearing on Jan 24, before a bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra, which in 2019, sought responses from the Centre & all states & UTs.

The Police affidavit said, "It is humbly stated that the Delhi police has been vigilant in its duties under the (Mental Healthcare) Act & has made every effort to fulfil the commitment under the Act. The Delhi police has nominated investigating officers to attend orientation programmes held by Delhi Judicial Academy for sensitisation & awareness of investigating officers on Mental Healthcare issues."

On Aug 2, 2019, the SC issued notice to all states & UTs on the Bansal's plea, which said the failure of authorities in "drafting, designing & implementing public health programme for the prevention & reduction of suicides in India is not only violative of section 29 & 115 of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, but is also in violation of Article 21 (protection of life & personal liberty) of the Constitution of India."

Bansal, referring to the suicides committed by children in Delhi, has alleged in his petition that the Govt. of Delhi has "failed to provide a healthy social atmosphere".

The petition said all states & UTs have failed to implement provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act & they should be directed to take steps to prevent suicides in their jurisdiction.

It said authorities should be asked to provide status report on the steps taken by them to implement public health programme for prevention of suicides.

Referring to the World Health Organization's report 'Preventive Suicide – a Global Imperative', the petitioner said young people are among the most affected & suicide is now the second leading cause of death for those between the age of 15 & 29 globally.

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