The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare / Department of Health and Family Welfare
Section
Section 101 Report to Magistrate of person with mental illness in private residence who is ill-treated or neglected.
(1) Every officer in-charge of a police station, who has reason to believe that any person residing within the limits of the police station has a mental illness and is being ill-treated or neglected, shall forthwith report the fact to the Magistrate within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the person with mental illness resides.
(2) Any person who has reason to believe that a person has mental illness and is being ill-treated or neglected by any person having responsibility for care of such person, shall report the fact to the police officer in-charge of the police station within whose jurisdiction the person with mental illness resides.
(3) If the Magistrate has reason to believe based on the report of a police officer or otherwise, that any person with mental illness within the local limits of his jurisdiction is being ill-treated or neglected, the Magistrate may cause the person with mental illness to be produced before him and pass an order in accordance with the provisions of section 102.
(2) Any person who has reason to believe that a person has mental illness and is being ill-treated or neglected by any person having responsibility for care of such person, shall report the fact to the police officer in-charge of the police station within whose jurisdiction the person with mental illness resides.
(3) If the Magistrate has reason to believe based on the report of a police officer or otherwise, that any person with mental illness within the local limits of his jurisdiction is being ill-treated or neglected, the Magistrate may cause the person with mental illness to be produced before him and pass an order in accordance with the provisions of section 102.
Section 102 Conveying or admitting person with mental illness to mental health establishment by Magistrate.
(1) When any person with mental illness or who may have a mental illness appears or is brought before a Magistrate, the Magistrate may, order in writing--
(a) that the person is conveyed to a public mental health establishment for assessment and treatment, if necessary and the mental health establishment shall deal with such person in accordance with the provisions of the Act; or
(b) to authorise the admission of the person with mental illness in a mental health establishment for such period not exceeding ten days to enable the medical officer or mental health professional in charge of the mental health establishment to carry out an assessment of the person and to plan for necessary treatment, if any.
(2) On completion of the period of assessment referred to in sub-section (1), the medical officer or mental health professional in charge of the mental health establishment shall submit a report to the Magistrate and the person shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(a) that the person is conveyed to a public mental health establishment for assessment and treatment, if necessary and the mental health establishment shall deal with such person in accordance with the provisions of the Act; or
(b) to authorise the admission of the person with mental illness in a mental health establishment for such period not exceeding ten days to enable the medical officer or mental health professional in charge of the mental health establishment to carry out an assessment of the person and to plan for necessary treatment, if any.
(2) On completion of the period of assessment referred to in sub-section (1), the medical officer or mental health professional in charge of the mental health establishment shall submit a report to the Magistrate and the person shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
Section 103 Prisoners with mental illness.
(1) An order under section 30 of the Prisoners Act, 1900 (3 of 1900) or under section 144 of the Air Force Act, 1950 (45 of 1950), or under section 145 of the Army Act, 1950 (46 of 1950), or under section 143 or section 144 of the Navy Act, 1957 (62 of 1957), or under section 330 or section 335 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974), directing the admission of a prisoner with mental illness into any suitable mental health establishment, shall be sufficient authority for the admission of such person in such establishment to which such person may be lawfully transferred for care and treatment therein:
Provided that transfer of a prisoner with mental illness to the psychiatric ward in the medical wing of the prison shall be sufficient to meet the requirements under this section:
Provided further that where there is no provision for a psychiatric ward in the medical wing, the prisoner may be transferred to a mental health establishment with prior permission of the Board.
(2) The method, modalities and procedure by which the transfer of a prisoner under this section is to be effected shall be such as may be prescribed.
(3) The medical officer of a prison or jail shall send a quarterly report to the concerned Board certifying therein that there are no prisoners with mental illness in the prison or jail.
(4) The Board may visit the prison or jail and ask the medical officer as to why the prisoner with mental illness, if any, has been kept in the prison or jail and not transferred for treatment to a mental health establishment.
(5) The medical officer in-charge of a mental health establishment wherein any person referred to in sub-section (1) is detained, shall once in every six months, make a special report regarding the mental and physical condition of such person to the authority under whose order such person is detained.
(6) The appropriate Government shall setup mental health establishment in the medical wing of at least one prison in each State and Union territory and prisoners with mental illness may ordinarily be referred to and cared for in the said mental health establishment.
(7) The mental health establishment setup under sub-section (5) shall be registered under this Act with the Central or State Mental Health Authority, as the case may be, and shall conform to such standards and procedures as may be prescribed.
Provided that transfer of a prisoner with mental illness to the psychiatric ward in the medical wing of the prison shall be sufficient to meet the requirements under this section:
Provided further that where there is no provision for a psychiatric ward in the medical wing, the prisoner may be transferred to a mental health establishment with prior permission of the Board.
(2) The method, modalities and procedure by which the transfer of a prisoner under this section is to be effected shall be such as may be prescribed.
(3) The medical officer of a prison or jail shall send a quarterly report to the concerned Board certifying therein that there are no prisoners with mental illness in the prison or jail.
(4) The Board may visit the prison or jail and ask the medical officer as to why the prisoner with mental illness, if any, has been kept in the prison or jail and not transferred for treatment to a mental health establishment.
(5) The medical officer in-charge of a mental health establishment wherein any person referred to in sub-section (1) is detained, shall once in every six months, make a special report regarding the mental and physical condition of such person to the authority under whose order such person is detained.
(6) The appropriate Government shall setup mental health establishment in the medical wing of at least one prison in each State and Union territory and prisoners with mental illness may ordinarily be referred to and cared for in the said mental health establishment.
(7) The mental health establishment setup under sub-section (5) shall be registered under this Act with the Central or State Mental Health Authority, as the case may be, and shall conform to such standards and procedures as may be prescribed.
Section 104 Persons in custodial institutions.
(1) If it appears to the person in-charge of a State run custodial institution (including beggars homes, orphanages, women's protection homes and children homes) that any resident of the institution has, or is likely to have, a mental illness, then, he shall take such resident of the institution to the nearest mental health establishment run or funded by the appropriate Government for assessment and treatment, as necessary.
(2) The medical officer in-charge of a mental health establishment shall be responsible for assessment of the person with mental illness, and the treatment required by such persons shall be decided in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
(2) The medical officer in-charge of a mental health establishment shall be responsible for assessment of the person with mental illness, and the treatment required by such persons shall be decided in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
Section 105 Question of mental illness in judicial process.
If during any judicial process before any competent court, proof of mental illness is produced and is challenged by the other party, the court shall refer the same for further scrutiny to the concerned Board and the Board shall, after examination of the person alleged to have a mental illness either by itself or through a committee of experts, submit its opinion to the court.
Section 106 Restriction to discharge functions by professionals not covered by profession.
No mental health professional or medical practitioner shall discharge any duty or perform any function not authorised by this Act or specify or recommend any medicine or treatment not authorised by the field of his profession.
Section 107 Penalties for establishing or maintaining mental health establishment in contravention of provisions of this Act.
(1) Whoever carries on a mental health establishment without registration shall be liable to a penalty which shall not be less than five thousand rupees but which may extend to fifty thousand rupees for first contravention or a penalty which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees but which may extend to two lakh rupees for a second contravention or a penalty which shall not be less than two lakh rupees but which may extend to five lakh rupees for every subsequent contravention.
(2) Whoever knowingly serves in the capacity as a mental health professional in a mental health establishment which is not registered under this Act, shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to twenty-five thousand rupees.
(3) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the penalty under this section shall be adjudicated by the State Authority.
(4) Whoever fails to pay the amount of penalty, the State Authority may forward the order to the Collector of the district in which such person owns any property or resides or carries on his business or profession or where the mental health establishment is situated, and the Collector shall recover from such persons or mental health establishment the amount specified thereunder, as if it were an arrear of land revenue.
(5) All sums realised by way of penalties under this Chapter shall be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.
(2) Whoever knowingly serves in the capacity as a mental health professional in a mental health establishment which is not registered under this Act, shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to twenty-five thousand rupees.
(3) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the penalty under this section shall be adjudicated by the State Authority.
(4) Whoever fails to pay the amount of penalty, the State Authority may forward the order to the Collector of the district in which such person owns any property or resides or carries on his business or profession or where the mental health establishment is situated, and the Collector shall recover from such persons or mental health establishment the amount specified thereunder, as if it were an arrear of land revenue.
(5) All sums realised by way of penalties under this Chapter shall be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.
Section 108 Punishment for contravention of provisions of the Act or rules or regulations made thereunder.
Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of this Act, or of any rule or regulation made thereunder shall for first contravention be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months, or with a fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or with both, and for any subsequent contravention with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees but which may extend to five lakh rupees or with both.
Section 109 Offences by companies.
(1) Where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who at the time the offence was committed was in-charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly:
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he has exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to, any neglect on the part of any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation. -- For the purposes of this section,--
(a) "company" means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and
(b) "director", in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.
Provided that nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment provided in this Act, if he proves that the offence was committed without his knowledge or that he has exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), where an offence under this Act has been committed by a company and it is proved that the offence has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to, any neglect on the part of any director, manager, secretary or other officer of the company, such director, manager, secretary or other officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly.
Explanation. -- For the purposes of this section,--
(a) "company" means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association of individuals; and
(b) "director", in relation to a firm, means a partner in the firm.
Section 110 Power to call for information.
(1) The Central Government may, by a general or special order, call upon the Authority or the Board to furnish, periodically or as and when required any information concerning the activities carried on by the Authority or the Board, as the case may be, in such form as may be prescribed, to enable that Government, to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(2) The State Government may, by a general or special order, call upon the State Authority or the Board to furnish, periodically or as and when required any information concerning the activities carried on by the State Authority or the Board in such form as may be prescribed, to enable that Government, to carry out the purposes of this Act.
(2) The State Government may, by a general or special order, call upon the State Authority or the Board to furnish, periodically or as and when required any information concerning the activities carried on by the State Authority or the Board in such form as may be prescribed, to enable that Government, to carry out the purposes of this Act.
Section 111 Power of Central Government to issue directions
(1) Without prejudice to the foregoing provisions of this Act, the Authority shall, in exercise of its powers or the performance of its functions under this Act, be bound by such directions on questions of policy, other than those relating to technical and administrative matters, as the Central Government may give in writing to it from time to time:
Provided that the Authority shall, as far as practicable, be given an opportunity to express its views before any direction is given under this sub-section.
(2) The decision of the Central Government whether a question is one of policy or not shall be final.
Provided that the Authority shall, as far as practicable, be given an opportunity to express its views before any direction is given under this sub-section.
(2) The decision of the Central Government whether a question is one of policy or not shall be final.
Section 112 Power of Central Government to supersede Central Authority
(1) If at any time the Central Government is of the opinion---
(a) that on account of circumstances beyond the control of the Central Authority, it is unable to discharge the functions or perform the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or
(b) that the Central Authority has persistently defaulted in complying with any direction given by the Central Government under this Act or in the discharge of the functions or performance of the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or
(c) that circumstances exist which render it necessary in the public interest so to do, the Central Government may, by notification and for reasons to be specified therein, supersede the Central Authority for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification:
Provided that before issuing any such notification, the Central Government shall give a reasonable opportunity to the Central Authority to make representations against the proposed supersession and shall consider representations, if any, of the Central Authority.
(2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1), superseding the Central Authority,---
(a) the chairperson and other members shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such;
(b) all the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the Central Authority shall, until the Central Authority is reconstituted under sub-section (3), be exercised and discharged by the Central Government or such authority as the Central Government may specify in this behalf;
(c) all properties owned or controlled by the Central Authority shall, until the Central Authority is reconstituted under sub-section (3), vest in the Central Government.
(3) On or before the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1), the Central Government shall reconstitute the Central Authority by a fresh appointment of its chairperson and other members and in such case any person who had vacated his office under clause (a) of sub-section (2) shall not be deemed to be disqualified for re-appointment.
(4) The Central Government shall cause a notification issued under sub-section (1) and a full report of any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to be laid before each House of Parliament at the earliest.
(a) that on account of circumstances beyond the control of the Central Authority, it is unable to discharge the functions or perform the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or
(b) that the Central Authority has persistently defaulted in complying with any direction given by the Central Government under this Act or in the discharge of the functions or performance of the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or
(c) that circumstances exist which render it necessary in the public interest so to do, the Central Government may, by notification and for reasons to be specified therein, supersede the Central Authority for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification:
Provided that before issuing any such notification, the Central Government shall give a reasonable opportunity to the Central Authority to make representations against the proposed supersession and shall consider representations, if any, of the Central Authority.
(2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1), superseding the Central Authority,---
(a) the chairperson and other members shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such;
(b) all the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the Central Authority shall, until the Central Authority is reconstituted under sub-section (3), be exercised and discharged by the Central Government or such authority as the Central Government may specify in this behalf;
(c) all properties owned or controlled by the Central Authority shall, until the Central Authority is reconstituted under sub-section (3), vest in the Central Government.
(3) On or before the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1), the Central Government shall reconstitute the Central Authority by a fresh appointment of its chairperson and other members and in such case any person who had vacated his office under clause (a) of sub-section (2) shall not be deemed to be disqualified for re-appointment.
(4) The Central Government shall cause a notification issued under sub-section (1) and a full report of any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to be laid before each House of Parliament at the earliest.
Section 113 Power of State Government to supersede State Authority
(1) If at any time the State Government is of the opinion---
(a) that on account of circumstances beyond the control of the State Authority, it is unable to discharge the functions or perform the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or
(b) that the State Authority has persistently defaulted in complying with any direction given by the State Government under this Act or in the discharge of the functions or performance of the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or
(c) that circumstances exist which render it necessary in the public interest so to do,
the State Government may, by notification and for reasons to be specified therein, supersede the State Authority for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification:
Provided that before issuing any such notification, the State Government shall give a reasonable opportunity to the State Authority to make representations against the proposed supersession and shall consider representations, if any, of the State Authority.
(2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) superseding the State Authority,---
(a) the chairperson and other members shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such;
(b) all the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the State Authority shall, until the State Authority is reconstituted under sub-section (3), be exercised and discharged by the State Government or such authority as the State Government may specify in this behalf;
(c) all properties owned or controlled by the State Authority shall, until the State Authority is reconstituted under sub-section (3), vest in the State Government.
(3) On or before the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1), the State Government shall reconstitute the State Authority by a fresh appointment of its chairperson and other members and in such case any person who had vacated his office under clause (a) of sub-section (2) shall not be deemed to be disqualified for re-appointment.
(4) The State Government shall cause a notification issued under sub-section (1) and a full report of any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to be laid before the State Legislature at the earliest.
(a) that on account of circumstances beyond the control of the State Authority, it is unable to discharge the functions or perform the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or
(b) that the State Authority has persistently defaulted in complying with any direction given by the State Government under this Act or in the discharge of the functions or performance of the duties imposed on it by or under the provisions of this Act; or
(c) that circumstances exist which render it necessary in the public interest so to do,
the State Government may, by notification and for reasons to be specified therein, supersede the State Authority for such period, not exceeding six months, as may be specified in the notification:
Provided that before issuing any such notification, the State Government shall give a reasonable opportunity to the State Authority to make representations against the proposed supersession and shall consider representations, if any, of the State Authority.
(2) Upon the publication of a notification under sub-section (1) superseding the State Authority,---
(a) the chairperson and other members shall, as from the date of supersession, vacate their offices as such;
(b) all the powers, functions and duties which may, by or under the provisions of this Act, be exercised or discharged by or on behalf of the State Authority shall, until the State Authority is reconstituted under sub-section (3), be exercised and discharged by the State Government or such authority as the State Government may specify in this behalf;
(c) all properties owned or controlled by the State Authority shall, until the State Authority is reconstituted under sub-section (3), vest in the State Government.
(3) On or before the expiration of the period of supersession specified in the notification issued under sub-section (1), the State Government shall reconstitute the State Authority by a fresh appointment of its chairperson and other members and in such case any person who had vacated his office under clause (a) of sub-section (2) shall not be deemed to be disqualified for re-appointment.
(4) The State Government shall cause a notification issued under sub-section (1) and a full report of any action taken under this section and the circumstances leading to such action to be laid before the State Legislature at the earliest.
Section 114 Special provisions for States in north-east and hill States
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, the provisions of this Act shall, taking into consideration the communication, travel and transportation difficulties, apply to the States of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, with following modifications, namely:--
(a) under sub-section (3) of section 73, the chairperson of the Central Authority may constitute one or more Boards for all the States;
(b) in sub-section (2) of section 80, reference to the period of "seven days", and in sub-section (3) of that section, reference to the period of "twenty-one" days shall be construed as "ten days" and "thirty days", respectively;
(c) in sub-section (9) of section 87, reference to the period of "seventy-two hours" shall be construed as "one hundred twenty hours", and in sub-sections (3) and (12) of that section, reference to a period of "seven days" shall be construed as ten days;
(d) in sub-section (3) of section 88, reference to the period of "twenty-four hours" shall be construed as "seventy-two hours";
(e) in clauses (a) and (b) of sub-section (9) of section 89, reference to the period of "three days" and "seven days" shall be construed as "seven days" and "ten days" respectively;
(f) in sub-section (3) of section 90, reference to the period of "seven days" and in sub-section (4) of that section, reference to the period of "twenty-one days" shall be construed as "ten days" and "thirty days" respectively;
(g) in sub-section (4) of section 94, reference to the period of "seventy-two hours" shall be construed as "one hundred twenty hours".
(2) The provisions of clauses (b) to (g) of sub-section (1) shall also apply to the States of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir* and the Union territories of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
(3) The provisions of this section shall cease to have effect on the expiry of a period of ten years from the commencement of this Act, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such cesser, and upon such cesser section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897), shall apply as if this Act had then been repealed by a Central Act.
(a) under sub-section (3) of section 73, the chairperson of the Central Authority may constitute one or more Boards for all the States;
(b) in sub-section (2) of section 80, reference to the period of "seven days", and in sub-section (3) of that section, reference to the period of "twenty-one" days shall be construed as "ten days" and "thirty days", respectively;
(c) in sub-section (9) of section 87, reference to the period of "seventy-two hours" shall be construed as "one hundred twenty hours", and in sub-sections (3) and (12) of that section, reference to a period of "seven days" shall be construed as ten days;
(d) in sub-section (3) of section 88, reference to the period of "twenty-four hours" shall be construed as "seventy-two hours";
(e) in clauses (a) and (b) of sub-section (9) of section 89, reference to the period of "three days" and "seven days" shall be construed as "seven days" and "ten days" respectively;
(f) in sub-section (3) of section 90, reference to the period of "seven days" and in sub-section (4) of that section, reference to the period of "twenty-one days" shall be construed as "ten days" and "thirty days" respectively;
(g) in sub-section (4) of section 94, reference to the period of "seventy-two hours" shall be construed as "one hundred twenty hours".
(2) The provisions of clauses (b) to (g) of sub-section (1) shall also apply to the States of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir* and the Union territories of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
(3) The provisions of this section shall cease to have effect on the expiry of a period of ten years from the commencement of this Act, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such cesser, and upon such cesser section 6 of the General Clauses Act, 1897 (10 of 1897), shall apply as if this Act had then been repealed by a Central Act.
*. Vide notification No. S.O. 3912(E), dated 30th October, 2019, this Act is made applicable to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union territory of Ladakh.
Section 115 Presumption of severe stress in case of attempt to commit suicide.
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) any person who attempts to commit suicide shall be presumed, unless proved otherwise, to have severe stress and shall not be tried and punished under the said Code.
(2) The appropriate Government shall have a duty to provide care, treatment and rehabilitation to a person, having severe stress and who attempted to commit suicide, to reduce the risk of recurrence of attempt to commit suicide.
(2) The appropriate Government shall have a duty to provide care, treatment and rehabilitation to a person, having severe stress and who attempted to commit suicide, to reduce the risk of recurrence of attempt to commit suicide.
Section 116 Bar of jurisdiction.
No civil court shall have jurisdiction to entertain any suit or proceeding in respect of any matter which the Authority or the Board is empowered by or under this Act to determine, and no injunction shall be granted by any court or other authority in respect of any action taken or to be taken in pursuance of any power conferred by or under this Act.
Section 117 Transitory provisions
The Central Government may, if it considers so necessary in the interest of persons with mental illness being governed by the Mental Health Act, 1987 (14 of 1987), take appropriate interim measures by making necessary transitory schemes.
Section 118 Chairperson, members and staff of Authority and Board to be public servants.
The chairperson, and other members and the officers and other employees of the Authority and Board shall be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
Section 119 Protection of action taken in good faith
No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against the appropriate Government or against the chairperson or any other member of the Authority or the Board, as the case may be, for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or any rule or regulation made thereunder in the discharge of official duties.
Section 120 Act to have overriding effect
The provisions of this Act shall have overriding effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force or in any instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act.