Dept. health and family care. must report existing rehabilitation system: Kerala HC
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will conduct a comprehensive assessment of facilities for the rehabilitation of persons released on the ground of mental illness as mandated by the Mental Health Care Act, 2017, the Kerala High Court has ordered.
The court was hearing the plea of a person from Pullepada who was acquitted of murdering a 10-year-old boy from his neighborhood on grounds of unsoundness of mind. It was subsequently reported to the court that although the person was found medically fit to reintegrate into society, there were no funds available to reintegrate him. In this regard, the Department of Social Justice has submitted a report on the existing rehabilitation facilities for the mentally ill in Kerala.
The state reported that there is a system of rehabilitation for prisoners and persons acquitted of unsound mind. The scheme aims to transfer them from mental health care facilities to approved psychosocial rehabilitation centers operating in four designated NGOs in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Wayanad.
It was also reported that there are 97 such individuals eligible for rehabilitation at the Government Mental Health Centers in Thiruvananthapuram and Thrissur and that the Department is taking steps to establish a timetable for their rehabilitation and continued care.
The court ordered the state to establish a State Office of Mental Health and Halfway Homes under the Mental Health Act. Halfway homes are transitional housing facilities for people with mental illness who have been discharged but are not ready to live independently.
The ministry’s report also said that around 380 people are housed in the six centers of Ašhabhavan, with each center exceeding its capacity of 50 people. These centers provide rehabilitation services to people who have been cured but need psychosocial support.
The court ordered the state to assess the 120 registered psychosocial rehabilitation centers and verify whether they are capable of providing a safe and rehabilitative environment for their residents. These institutions can greatly relieve the burden on Ashhabhav centers while providing adequate support to individuals, he said.
Published – 23 Jun 2026 0:04 IST