NHRC delegation led by its Chairperson, Mr. Justice Arun Mishra to inspect & review the Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Agra on 27th – 28th July, 2022

New Delhi, 25th July, 2022

A National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India delegation, led by its Chairperson, Mr. Justice Arun Mishra will go for the inspection of the Institute of Mental Health and Hospital, Agra, Uttar Pradesh and also hold a workshop on 27th – 28th July, 2022. The delegation includes NHRC Members, Mr. Justice M.M. Kumar, Dr. D.M. Mulay, Mr. Rajiv Jain and Secretary General, Mr. Devendra Kumar Singh and Joint Secretary, Mr. Harish Chandra Chaudhary.

The Hon’ble Supreme Court, in the Order dated 11th November 1997, in response to a PIL, had directed the District Judge to continue the monitoring of the Mental Hospitals in Gwalior, Agra & Ranchi, and give necessary directions from time to time by sending periodic reports to the NHRC with a copy to the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

Accordingly, the NHRC Chairperson requested the Chief Justice of Allahabad High Court to advise the District Judge of Agra to monitor the functioning of the mental hospitals and to send quarterly reports to the NHRC with a copy to the Hon’ble Supreme Court. A similar D.O. letter from the NHRC Joint Secretary to the District Judge of Agra was issued, wherein the report for the quarter ending 31st March, 2022 was requested to be submitted to the Commission latest by 20th April, 2022.

An inspection report received from the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Agra in this regard highlighted shortcomings and difficulties in the functioning of the hospital, including lack of funds, shortage of staff, poor infrastructure, poor accommodation, difficulty in locating the family members of cured patients and difficulty in repatriation.

The sensitization workshop, on 28th July, 2022, day two of the delegation visit, will include participation, among others, by Mr. Himanshu Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, Mr. Pranjal Yadav, IAS, Special Secretary, Department of Medical Health & Family Welfare, Prof. Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANS, Divisional Commissioner and District Judge, Agra.

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