Supreme Court Legal Aid Committee vs State Of M.P
- SCC(1994) 5 SCC 27
Ratio decidendi
The rule this decision rests on
Where there are inadequate conditions in a mental institution and evidence of inhumane treatment—such as chaining of inmates without proper justification or denial of basic clothing—a court has the power to direct implementation of expert committee reports to reform conditions, and such orders cannot be defeated by financial constraints. The state is obliged to treat institutionalized mentally ill persons as human beings deserving of dignified and humane care, a duty that overrides budgetary limitations.
Written by Miss Lucy from the judgment below, not taken from a headnote.
Judgment
As delivered
1. After hearing the learned counsel and perusing all the relevant records we are clearly of the opinion that in order semblance of hope may be instilled in the lives of these unfortunate mentally ill, presently put up in Gwalior Mental Asylum, we direct the implementation of the report, dated 2-9-1993, made out by a Committee consisting of Dr Channabasavanna, Dr Rattemna Raju, Dr Satish, Dr Murali, Dr Sameer and Prof. R. Srinivasa 28 Murthi of Nimhans, Bangalore. In implementation of this report no financial constraint shall be pleaded nor will be allowed to be pleaded.
2. We-are informed by Mr Muralidhar, learned counsel for the petitioner that there is uncivilised practice of chaining of these inmates solely for the reason that they are likely to fall down either from cots or otherwise, if they are not chained. We strongly condemn this practice. There are better methods to avoid such accidents. They could be restored to instead of this cruel practice of chaining them and making them miserable.
3. We are also informed by the learned counsel that some of the inmates are naked without even piece of apparel on them. The State shall at once look into this and take up remedial measures post haste.
4. Generally speaking that these inmates also must be treated as human beings cannot be overemphasised. Therefore, we would like to draw the attention of the Government to the orders passed in Rakesh Chandra Narayan v. State of Bihar1 and to carry out the obligations laid down therein.
5. Concerning of all the above a report shall be submitted within 3 months from today.
6. Copy of this order shall be forwarded to the Chief Secretary as well as to the Superintendent Gwalior Mental Asylum.
7. Call after the report is submitted.
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