SC Issues Notice On PIL For Measures Under Mental Health Act To Curb Child Suicides [Read Petition]

The Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Arun Mishra on Friday issued notice to Centre and state governments on a PIL raising the issue of increasing number of child suicides.

The petition prays for a direction to governments of Centre and States to implement 'public health programme' for the prevention and reduction of suicides in their respective jurisdiction as provided under Section 29 and Section 115 of the Mental Healthcare Act 2017

The petitioner Guarav Kumar Bansal, a practicing advocate, stated that it was a "national shame" that no steps were being taken to reduce the suicides of children below the age of 12 years.  The petition annexed the RTI reply data of last five years which he has obtained from Delhi police.

Referring to the data, the petitioner drew attention of court on various provisions of Mental Healthcare Act 2017, which says that it is the " fundamental duty of the respondent to plan, design, formulate and implement public health programs to reduce the suicide cases in its jurisdiction.

Stating the large number of suicide by large number of young children as "national shame", the petitioner alleged that Delhi government has not even thought of making any public health related programs.

According to the petition, " in the national capital, if the children of 12 years of age will commit Suicide, then apart from the fact that it is not an healthy sign for country it is shameful for the authorities.

"That failure of Respondents in drafting, designing and implementing Public Health Programme for the prevention and reduction of suicides in India is not only violative of Section 29 and 115 of Mental Healthcare Act – 2017 but is also in violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of India. "

The plea said on January, 11 ,2019, the petitioner received RTI reply wherein it was informed by Respondent No. 03 (Delhi Police) that Police Stations of Seelampur, Sonia Vihar, Karaawal Nagar, Gokal Puri, Harsh Vihar and Jyoti Nagar witnessed 17, 07, 22, 06, 19 and 03 suicide cases respectively.

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