The Kerala High Court has sought a report from the Social Welfare department on steps being taken to rehabilitate people who were acquitted of crimes on the ground of unsoundness of mind. Such persons cannot be allowed to languish indefinitely in mental health institutions, despite recovery, solely due to the absence of adequate rehabilitation facilities or institutional support mechanisms.

The court was hearing a plea by a person from Pullepady in Kochi, who had been charged with murdering a 10-year-old boy from his neighbourhood. The amicus curie in the case had submitted a report that there were inadequate facilities to rehabilitate such people.

In this case, none of the relatives of the person was available to help rehabilitate him. Under such circumstances, the law requires that alternative modes of rehabilitation be adopted. The report further stated that over 100 people, who had undergone treatment in mental health centres and substantial recovered, were still awaiting rehabilitation.

The HC also suo motu impleaded the Director of Social Welfare department in the case.