The Supreme Court has sought responses from six states on a petition seeking release of nearly 300 persons who are still languishing in mental hospitals in Uttar Pradesh despite being cured of their ailments.
A bench, headed by Chief Justice TS Thakur, issued notices to Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir and Meghalaya on a PIL seeking release of persons who are now fit and steps to ensure their social security post-discharge.
The plea, filed by an advocate, has sought issuance of directions to the states and others to make arrangements to shift the patients, who are fit for discharge, from the mental hospitals to any other secure place like Old Age Home. Earlier, the apex court had refused to accord an urgent hearing to the plea during the summer vacation.