Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 19: The Supreme Court on Monday granted the Union government a final opportunity to frame and submit standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the rehabilitation of homeless persons living with psychosocial disabilities, stressing the urgent need to protect what it described as one of the country’s most vulnerable populations.
A Bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, while hearing a public interest litigation on the issue, warned that no further delays would be tolerated. The court listed the matter for hearing on February 9 after the Centre sought additional time to file its response.
Calling homeless persons with mental illness “destitute to the extreme,” the Bench underlined the sensitivity of the issue and emphasised that effective implementation of SOPs was crucial. “We are giving you a last opportunity to frame the SOPs and place them on record. These are among the most vulnerable people, and everything depends on how well these SOPs are implemented,” the court told senior advocate Nachiket Joshi, who appeared for the Centre.
The petitioner, advocate Gaurav Bansal, appearing in person, informed the court that this was the third occasion on which the Centre had failed to submit its reply. He highlighted that homeless individuals with mental illness are often forced to survive on the streets, scavenging for food, and urgently require structured rehabilitation.
The court was reminded that on December 19, the Centre had stated that it was in the process of preparing two sets of draft SOPs for the rehabilitation of such persons. On an earlier hearing, the apex court had urged the government to treat the matter with utmost seriousness, noting that repeated deliberations and meetings had yet to yield concrete results.
The petition seeks directions for framing and implementing SOPs for key stakeholders, including police authorities and medical and mental health departments, to ensure humane, coordinated and effective handling of homeless persons with psychosocial disabilities.
It also draws attention to the widespread neglect faced by such individuals, who are often subjected to social exclusion, physical abuse and sexual exploitation instead of receiving care and protection.
Despite the existence of statutory and policy frameworks such as the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, and the National Mental Health Policy, 2014, the plea argues that authorities have failed to operationalise safeguards intended for homeless persons suffering from mental illness.
According to the petitioner, the absence of a comprehensive national policy addressing the intersection of homelessness and mental illness has resulted in a systemic failure, leaving thousands without access to treatment, shelter or basic social entitlements.