The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sought a response from the district administration of Bhadrak pertanng to the issue of providing a psychiatrist from the Institute of Mental Health, SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, to treat a woman who has been living in a closed room naked for more than 15 years.
The apex rights panel has been monitoring the case on the basis of a report of its own Special Rapporteur Damodar Sarangi and a petition by activist-lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy.
Sanjulata, daughter of late Nidhi Sahu in Somapur village under Chandbali Block in Bhadrak district, has been living naked in a closed room for more than 15 years. Neither the poor family nor the negligent administration extends any support to this unfortunate lady, Tripathy alleged.
Special Rapporteur Sarangi also took note of the serious case and sent his report over the plight of this poor victim. The NHRC earlier had sought report from the Bhadrak district administration over the issue.
The NHRC received a report from the Collector, Bhadrak, but was not satisfied with the response. Then it transmitted the report to the complainant for comments.
The complainant submitted his comments and stated that before closing the case, the Commission may verify whether, in response to the Collector’s request, a psychiatrist from the Institute of Mental Health, SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, has visited the patient and has given his opinion on the possibility of providing effective treatment to her at her residence. The patient, as would appear from the circumstances of the case, requires intensive care in a mental hospital. The State Government may be requested to offer their views on the feasibility of admitting Sanjulata in a mental hospital, over ruling the objections from her mother
The Commission asked the Bhadrak administration to submit his additional report in the light of the comments of the complainant within six weeks. The district administration is yet to act over the issue.