After Personally Inspecting Thiruvananthapuram Mental Health Centre, Kerala High Court Flags 'Prison-Like' Conditions, Orders Urgent Reforms

The Division Bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Basant Balaji inspected the Centre last Saturday (July 18) along with amicus curiae Advocate V. Ramkumar Nambiar and other official stakeholders.

“The scenario we saw was, in our opinion, after some amount of dressing up and cleaning; but even then, it deeply concerned us, to say the least. Apart from the infrastructural requirements as are absolutely essential, various issues relating to patient care and management have to be considered in the context of the present modern era, without being enslaved to the protocols of the past,” the Bench remarked at the outset.

It noted that though the sanctioned posts of attenders are 158, there were only 127 attenders at present. Moreover, there are no more cooks or washers available at the facility and those tasks are being done by these attenders themselves. The attenders are also required to take patients to other hospitals for care, clean the premises and act as security.

Next, the Court stressed upon the need for utilization of open spaces for the patients being treated there.

“we saw that most of the patients, if not all, were confined to their rooms or cells, which were locked; and this was more painful because we witnessed men and women walking up and down in the cells/rooms in a restless manner, with many of them requesting us to set them free…We are not sure how the patients can improve if they are confined to spaces like this. In a facility like the Mental Health Center, Thiruvananthapuram – where there is enough space in terms of open land for patients to be given access to nature, to trees, to the wind, to sights and smells, that would certainly have a sobering effect, offering them a sense of solace rather than being constrained and forced to be terrified of closed spaces – much can be done, if the Government and stakeholders think out of the box.”

The Bench also remarked upon the infrastructural issues existing at the centre, including a dangerously overhanging tree branch, incomplete constructions and the bad condition of internal roads.

It further noted that there were around 55 patients that are stated to be fit for discharge but have not left due to lack of support from families. Moreover, it remarked that the centre must become self-sufficient for its requirements, in terms of medications and treatment for physical ailments.

To address certain immediate requirements, the Court passed certain orders, including a direction to the State to take urgent steps to fill the vacant post of attenders by the next posting date. It also asked the State to file affidavit regarding the incomplete constructions, internal roads, etc.

It further directed the competent authorities to file affidavits explaining why there are no cooks, washers, drivers and security personnel in the Centre as well as suggesting rehabilitation measures for patients fit for discharge.

The Court also noted a positive aspect – the presence of a vocational training centre where the patients are engaged in making of soaps, umbrellas and other things.

Case No: WP(C) No. 16603 of 2026

Case Title: The High Court Legal Aid Committee v. The State of Kerala and Ors.

Click to Read/Download Interim Order