The Supreme Court on Friday expressed grave concern over the plight of homeless individuals suffering from psychosocial disabilities, calling their rehabilitation a “sensitive issue” and directing the Central government to address it with utmost urgency.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing a petition filed by advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal seeking directions for the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive rehabilitation policy for homeless persons with psychosocial disabilities.
During the hearing, the Centre informed the court that deliberations were ongoing and sought eight weeks to submit a progress report. However, the bench stressed the need for urgency, remarking, “You need to take it very seriously and as less time as possible.”
Psychosocial disabilities refer to the social and psychological barriers faced by individuals with mental health issues, often exacerbated by stigma, neglect, and inadequate support systems.
Advocate Bansal highlighted the urgent need for systemic reforms, stating that homeless individuals were “literally becoming football” between authorities. He added that many of these individuals, including women, faced apathy and even mistreatment by law enforcement due to the absence of structured rehabilitation frameworks.
The Centre has filed a counter-affidavit in the matter, which the court noted was a brief reply. The government counsel referred to existing frameworks under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, but the bench questioned the implementation. “Acts are there. Where is the execution, where is the compliance?” the court asked pointedly.
The petition underscores that despite the existence of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and the National Mental Health Policy, 2014, authorities have failed to enforce provisions aimed at protecting homeless individuals with mental illnesses. It also alleges that such individuals often face neglect, isolation, and abuse, both physical and sexual, due to a lack of institutional care and support.
Bansal’s plea calls for the creation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for key stakeholders — including police and healthcare departments — to ensure humane and effective treatment of homeless persons with psychosocial disabilities.
Acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, the bench said, “We are expecting response of the government on all these issues. Let them come back and then we will monitor it. We will try and take it to a logical end.”
The Supreme Court has scheduled the next hearing for September 22.
