Bring mental health policy for youth-elderly: HC to govt

Bhopal: A division bench of the Madhya Pradesh high court, in dismissing a bail petition from a young woman convicted of murdering her sister, has directed the state govt to formulate a comprehensive mental health policy prioritising youths and the elderly.The bench, comprising Justice Vivek Agarwal and Justice Ratnesh Chandra Singh Baghel, further mandated the appointment of mental health experts in schools, colleges, and at least district hospitals statewide. Forwarding a copy of the order to the chief secretary, the judges demanded an action-taken report within 90 days.The ruling stemmed from the case of Deesha Awasthi, a resident of Narsinghpur town, who was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing her sister with the help of her friend Rahul. Driven by sibling jealousy — Awasthi felt her sister received more family attention — the crime exemplified what the court termed "mental depravity" that society must address before it spirals into broader "unruly" dimensions.Broader Mandate for Clinics and InfrastructureThe judges emphasized establishing mental health clinics equipped with competent staff and infrastructure in educational institutions and district hospitals, all within the state's resources and on a time-bound basis. They reiterated that a copy of the judgment be sent to the chief secretary to ensure prompt policy formulation focused on vulnerable groups.