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Court Protects CRPF Man's Mental Health Rights
9 Dec
Summary
- Delhi High Court set aside disciplinary action against CRPF personnel.
- Mental illness is not a stigma or disciplinary infraction, court ruled.
- Disability and mental healthcare laws protect individuals from discrimination.
The Delhi High Court has quashed disciplinary proceedings against a CRPF officer, affirming that mental illness cannot be deemed a stigma or a disciplinary issue. The court's decision highlighted the legislative intent behind the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (RPwD) Act, 2016, to prevent discrimination against individuals with mental health conditions.
The bench found the disciplinary action against the petitioner to be discriminatory and contrary to constitutional protections. It stressed that authorities have a statutory obligation to prevent inhuman or degrading treatment of persons with mental illness, and failure to accommodate such conditions constitutes discrimination.
Consequently, the court set aside the disciplinary action, mandating the disbursement of all consequential benefits to the petitioner. It also ensured the officer's protection under Section 20(4) of the RPwD Act, should he be found unsuitable for his current role.
