Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 30
The Gauhati High Court Kohima Bench, on June 29, has directed the State respondents to file their affidavit-in-opposition within a period of 4 weeks the steps that have been taken for the establishment of State Mental Health Authority. The affidavits should “clearly” indicate the same in chronological order, the Bench comprising of Justice Nelson Sailo and Justice Kakheto Sema further directed.
The Bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation urging the Court to issue a writ of mandamus directing the State respondents to constitute the Authority as per the provisions of the national the Mental Health Care Act, 2017. It further called for the constitution of Mental Health Review Boards as mandated by the same Act in all the districts.
In its order on June 29, the Bench noted that on various dates, time was granted to the State counsel to obtain instructions in the matter but notice has not yet been issued to the respondents. Issuing further notice and the directives to the State respondents, the Bench listed the matter again for hearing after four week.
The State respondents in the PIL are Government of Nagaland represented by the Chief Secretary, Civil Secretariat, and the Commissioner and Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare.
