The High Court of Uttarakhand has directed the state government to draft a policy for ensuring the treatment and welfare of mentally challenged children. The high court also directed all the district heads of the police to ensure that mentally challenged children are not kept in captivity. They should neither be subjected to any mistreatment nor be segregated in separate rooms.
Hearing on a public interest litigation filed by Haridwar resident Dr Vijay Verma, the division bench of justice Rajiv Sharma and justice Sharad Sharma directed the District Magistrates and Senior Superintendents of Police of Rudraprayag and Udham Singh Nagar to ensure that two identified mentally challenged children are freed from captivity within six hours. They should also be admitted to a hospital for proper diagnosis and necessary care.
Further, the high court directed the state government to draft a policy for mentally challenged children within six months. The policy will focus on ensuring actions like registration of such children and facilitation of a treatment centre for such conditions.
The police have been directed that in case they come across any lost mentally affected person, they should admit the person to a hospital for proper care while also informing the magistrate about the same. Mental health service should also be linked to other health services.
The court also directed the State Government to form a state authority and board for mental health.