Delhi government rescues mentally-ill woman off street
By IANSFriday, January 21, 2011
NEW DELHI - The Delhi High Court was Friday informed by the city government that a mentally-ill woman roaming on the streets of the capital for the past three years has been rescued and will be sent to the Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences (IHBAS).
Delhi government\’s counsel gave this information during a hearing on a public suit filed by a civil rights group, Social Jurist, seeking direction to authorities to rehabilitate the woman.
\”A lady aged about 43-44 years, who is mentally ill, has been wandering in a pathetic condition on the streets of Shakti Nagar which falls under the jurisdiction of the respondents (Roop Nagar police station in north Delhi),\” the petition said.
It added that while the identity of the woman is not known, she is educated and \”seems to have lost her mental balance after the demise of her father three-years ago\”. \”She should be provided the psychiatric help and be rehabilitated,\” it said.
It was also alleged that the police, which was under an obligation to rescue her as per the provisions of the Mental Health Act, were not taking any steps.
The counsel for Delhi government told Justice S. Muralidhar that the social welfare department has rescued the woman, and she will be taken to IHBAS for her mental check-up.
\”The government would take every step to ensure her rehabilitation,\” the counsel said.
Justice Muralidhar also thanked Ashok Agarwal, counsel for the Social Jurist, for bringing the issue of the woman to the notice of the court.
