The Kerala High Court has ordered a security audit of all three mental health centers in the state within a fortnight after an inmate who escaped from the Thrissur mental health center on Saturday stabbed three people.
Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice MB Snehalatha expressed shock over the incident and directed the Director of Health Services to submit a report in this regard with specific reference to areas where persons in need of care are housed and protected.
The court suo motu called for a report on the stabbing incident, after which the amicus curiae informed the court that no security audit had been conducted on the premises for years. Based on the opinion, the court stated that no delay can be extended, especially when dealing with people who do not have control over their actions.
The court directed the Thrissur District Medical Officer to examine the medical condition of the injured persons, how their treatment was taken care of and also arrangements, if any, to finance the expenses. It further ordered the superintendents of mental health centers to inform the court about the measures put in place to protect doctors, nurses and other health workers of the institutions. Details of security personnel must also be submitted.
Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare; Director of Health Services; District Medical Officer, Thrissur; Chief of State Police; Thrissur District Superintendent of Police; and Superintendents of Mental Health Centers in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur and Kozhikode; were applied in the matter.
The matter was listed for hearing on March 3.
Published – 16 Feb 2026 20:03 IST