Delhi High Court to examine if disability laws apply on people suffering from mental illness

The Delhi High Court has agreed to examine a legal question as to whether the laws on disabilities and mental healthcare are applicable on persons suffering from mental illness. Justice V K Rao sought response from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital on applicability of three Acts — Mental Healthcare Act, 2017; the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 and National Trust for Welfare of persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999 — on people suffering from mental illness.

It also asked the authorities to inform as to whether the appointment of a guardian for mentally ill persons is covered under the provisions of these three Acts.

The issue cropped up before the court when a man filed a petition for appointing him guardian of his 48-year-old sister, who is suffering from Schizophrenia, so that family pension and other consequential benefits could be granted to her.

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