The Supreme Court of India expressed deep concern on Monday about the severe exploitation faced by homeless people with mental illnesses. The court specifically highlighted the vulnerable situation of women in this group.
Court Demands Action Plan
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta directed the central government to formulate a standard operating procedure. This SOP will guide law enforcement agencies on how to effectively reach out to and assist these individuals.
Rejecting Delay, Setting Deadline
The court granted the government a strict two-week period to prepare and present a draft of the SOP. It firmly rejected the Centre's request for additional time, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
The order came in response to a public interest litigation filed by advocate Gaurav Bansal. His petition sought judicial intervention to safeguard the rights of homeless persons with psychosocial disabilities.
Petitioner's Grave Concerns
Bansal's petition outlined a dire situation. It stated that homeless individuals with psychosocial disabilities face extreme vulnerability.
Key issues raised include:- High risk of abuse, violence, and exploitation.
- Lack of a dedicated mechanism to address their condition, leading to human rights violations.
- Societal stigma compounding their difficulties.
- Absence of uniform procedures for police and mental health professionals, resulting in arbitrary actions, wrongful confinement, and systemic neglect.
The petition argued that this neglect contradicts India's commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Supreme Court's directive aims to establish a clear, compassionate, and systematic approach to protecting some of society's most marginalized members.
