Kerala High Court ordered a safety audit of all three government mental health centres in the state.
The directive followed the escape of a psychiatric patient from the Thrissur mental health centre and a stabbing incident involving three people.
The court registered the matter as a suo motu writ petition after taking note of media reports.
Authorities must submit a detailed safety audit report by March 3, 2026.
The court also directed police and health officials to review security measures and ensure adequate protection at mental health facilities.
The Kerala High Court has directed state authorities to conduct an urgent and comprehensive safety audit of all three government mental health care centres in Kerala after a patient escaped from the Government Mental Health Centre in Thrissur and allegedly stabbed three people nearby. The court issued the directive to assess security infrastructure, identify gaps, and ensure the safety of patients, healthcare workers, and the public.
A division bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and M. B. Snehalatha at the Kerala High Court in Ernakulam instructed the Director of Health Services to conduct a detailed safety and security audit at Government Mental Health Centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, and Kozhikode. The court ordered officials to examine ward security, patient monitoring systems, perimeter protection, staff deployment, and measures in place to prevent patient escapes.
The court directed authorities to submit a comprehensive report by March 3, 2026, outlining existing safety mechanisms, deficiencies, and corrective actions required to strengthen institutional safety.
The High Court initiated the proceedings as a suo motu writ petition after taking note of media reports describing the escape and subsequent violent incident involving a psychiatric patient at the Thrissur facility.
According to submissions before the court and media reports, the patient, identified as Suraj, a Nepal national, escaped from the Government Mental Health Centre in Thrissur in the early hours of February 14, 2026. Following his escape, he allegedly stabbed three individuals in nearby residential areas using a sharp weapon.
Residents in the area intervened, restrained the patient, and handed him over to the police. The injured victims received medical treatment at nearby hospitals. The High Court directed the Thrissur District Medical Officer to submit a detailed report on the victims’ medical condition, treatment provided, and their current health status.
The court also sought clarification from hospital authorities on how the patient managed to escape despite being admitted for psychiatric care and supervision.
The High Court ordered the superintendents of the three government mental health centres to submit detailed affidavits describing existing safety protocols. These include information on ward security systems, availability and deployment of security personnel, monitoring procedures for high risk patients, and infrastructure safeguards such as secure ward design, surveillance systems, and controlled access points.
The court also impleaded key government and law enforcement officials as respondents in the case. These include the Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Director of Health Services, State Police Chief, District Police Chief of Thrissur, District Medical Officer, and the superintendents of the Government Mental Health Centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, and Kozhikode.
In addition, the court directed police authorities to provide adequate security support to mental health institutions whenever requested by hospital administrators.
During the hearing, the High Court emphasized that mental health care centres have a responsibility to ensure both patient welfare and public safety. The court noted that proper supervision, trained personnel, and secure infrastructure are essential components of psychiatric care settings, particularly for patients who may be at risk of harming themselves or others.
The court also stressed the importance of ensuring safe working conditions for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers employed at mental health facilities.
Mental health care centres provide inpatient treatment for individuals with psychiatric illnesses who may require continuous monitoring, medication management, and structured care. These facilities must implement safety measures such as secured wards, trained psychiatric staff, adequate staff to patient ratios, surveillance systems, and controlled entry and exit points to prevent unauthorized patient movement.
Failure to maintain adequate safety protocols can pose risks not only to the patient but also to healthcare workers, caregivers, and the surrounding community.
The High Court stated that the safety audit would help identify gaps in infrastructure, staffing, and monitoring systems and enable corrective measures.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing after submission of the safety audit report.
(Rh/MSM)