IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY AT GOA

Versus

1. The State of Goa
Through its Chief Secretary,
Secretariat, Panaji - Goa.

2. The Director,
Institute of Psychiatry and
Human Behaviour / Licensing
Authority, Bambolim, Goa. …........................... Respondents.

Petitioner in person.

Mr. A.N.S. Nadkarni, Advocate General with Mr. G. Shirodkar, Additional Government Advocate for State.

Coram: S.J. VAZIFDAR ANF
P.V. HARDAS, JJ.

Date: 15th April 2003

ORAL JUDGEMENT (Per Vazifdar, J)

Rule returnable forthwith. By consent of parties is taken up for final hearing.

2. The Petition is filed as a Public Interest Litigation for appointment of a competent Inspecting Officer under Section 2 (C) of the Mental Health Act, 1987*. The learned Advocate General states that the Professor of Psychiatry has been appointed as the Professor of Psychiatry has been appointed as the Inspecting Officer in terms of Section 2 (C). The Grievance, therefore, stands redressed. The Petition is also filed for a writ of Mandamus commanding respondent no. 1 to make applications to the District Court under Section 79 of the said Act, for payment of cost of maintenance of mentally ill persons in suitable cases. The learned Advocate General States that so far no such requisition has been received by respondent no. 1 and as and when the same is received, respondent no. 1 will consider it. With these assurances, Petition is disposed of.
Rule made accordingly.

*Section 2 (C) of the Mental Health Act, 1987:
“Inspecting Officer” means a person authorized by the State Government or by the Licensing authority to inspect any psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home.