Delhi Government Assured Delhi High Court: State Mental Health Authority To Be Constituted Soon, Process Underway

The Delhi High Court in the case Amit Sahni v. Govt Of NCT Delhi And Ors. and other connected matter observed and has informed by the Delhi Government that it will take necessary steps expeditiously to constitute State Mental Health Authority under Mental Health Act, 2017 and the Rules made thereunder.
The court has also been informed that Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, has approved the proposal for constitution of the authority and the court has also directed that the proposal be referred to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for seeking necessary approval of the President of India.
In the present case, the PIL is moved by the Advocate Amit Sahni wherein seeking effective implementation of Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. It being the case of him that the lack of mental health authorities is adversely affecting the treatment of mentally ill persons.
Therefore, the state report filed stated that the LG has sent the file of the proposal to office of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on September 11 and that the matter will be referred to the Ministry of Home Affairs wherein seeking the approval of the President’s.
The court in the case had summoned the Delhi Government’s Health Secretary after it expressed displeasure that the permanent State Mental Health Authority was not being constituted in Delhi till date.
The Division bench headed by Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma in the case observed and has directed the Delhi Government for filing the fresh status report with regards the constitution of the authority and listed the matter on November 28, 2023.
It has also been informed by the said court that the counsel appearing for the Dehi government that the process for reconstitution of State Mental Health Authority is underway and shall be finalised soon.
Before the court, another plea has been tagged with Sahni’s by man wherein seeking reconstitution of the State Mental Health Authority and also for setting up of Mental Health Review Boards as provided under the new law.