Court Orders Rehabilitation for Mentally Ill Man Abandoned by Family

On November 7, 2025, the Bombay High Court issued a landmark ruling to ensure the well-being of a 50-year-old man suffering from schizophrenia. The court ordered that the patient, identified as Sathe, be shifted from the Thane Mental Hospital to a government-recognized rehabilitation home as an interim measure.

The court's compassionate intervention came in response to a petition filed by Sathe's longtime college friend, who sought long-term care and guardianship arrangements for the patient. The court was informed that Sathe had been left without family support following the death of his parents.

While the medical superintendent had certified Sathe as fit for discharge, the court accepted the petitioner's argument that allowing him to live alone would endanger his safety and well-being. Consequently, the court directed Sathe's transfer to the Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre in Taloja, one of the state-approved halfway homes, for continued care and supervision.

In a parallel development, the Public Health Department's Secretary, Nipun Vinayak, filed an affidavit outlining a series of systemic reforms under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. These reforms aim to address the plight of abandoned or long-detained psychiatric patients and strengthen rehabilitation and guardianship mechanisms across Maharashtra.

The state's efforts include institutional and policy changes, digital monitoring of mental health services, telepsychiatry and de-addiction programs, and the expansion of rehabilitation infrastructure. A statewide mental health survey is also in preparation to gather real-time data on psychological well-being.

The court's ruling and the state's proactive measures underscore the ongoing commitment to providing compassionate and comprehensive support for individuals with mental health challenges in Maharashtra.