'Very Serious & Sensitive Issue' : Supreme Court Asks Union To Urgently Consider Rehabilitation Measures For Homeless, Mentally Ill Persons
"Acts are there, [but] where is the execution? Where is the compliance?" Justice Mehta asked the Union.;
While dealing with a public interest litigation seeking rehabilitation measures for homeless, mentally ill persons, the Supreme Court today orally observed that the issue raised is "very serious and sensitive".
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta probed the Union of India about steps taken and on the asking of Additional Solicitor General Brijender Chahar, adjourned the matter for 8 weeks.
The ASG informed the Court that the Union is deliberating the issue and meetings are going on. He sought 8 weeks' time to place on record a progress report. "You need to take it very seriously and in as less time as possible", Justice Nath told him.
Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, who has filed the PIL, appeared and submitted that homeless, mentally ill persons are "literally becoming a football". He apologized for the use of the word, but explained - "why I am saying so, the law says that the police stations have to do something for rehabilitation. Many a times, these persons include women. There's negativity from the police's side, there are no sufficient rehabilitation programmes for these persons...".
In response, Justice Mehta said that the bench is expecting response of the Central government on all issues and then it will monitor the case. "We will try and take it to the logical conclusion", assured the judge.
When the ASG began to make a submission regarding the Central Health Authority under the 2017 Act, Justice Mehta cut him short, saying, "Acts are there Mr Chahar, where is the execution? Where is the compliance?"
Besides the Union, the PIL also impleads the States and Union Territories.
The matter is next listed on September 22.
Case Title: GAURAV KUMAR BANSAL Versus UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 198/2025