The Patna High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of reported shortcomings in Bihar’s mental health services and registered a public interest litigation (PIL) to examine the issue. The court acted on an inspection report submitted by the Bihar State Legal Services Authority, which highlighted concerns regarding the condition and functioning of mental healthcare facilities in the state.
The bench, comprising Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice Harish Kumar, has directed the state authorities to submit a detailed response on the current status of mental health infrastructure and services, according to a report by Live Law.
This development comes soon after an assessment by Global Mind Health report that Indian younger adults, particularly those aged 18–34, have markedly lower mind health scores than older adults.
The court’s intervention follows findings from an official inspection that pointed to deficiencies at the Bihar State Institute of Mental Health and Allied Sciences (BIMHAS) located in Koelwar, Bhojpur. The report raised questions about whether the institution is fully meeting the standards required under existing mental health laws.
Based on these observations, the High Court converted the matter into a suo motu PIL to ensure that patient care and institutional practices comply with statutory requirements.
See also: Indian Youth Rank Low in Global Mind Health 2025 Report
India’s Mental Healthcare Act mandates that every state must provide accessible and quality mental health services while protecting the rights and dignity of persons with mental illness. The legislation also requires adequate infrastructure, trained personnel, and proper monitoring mechanisms.
The High Court is examining whether Bihar’s facilities, particularly BIMHAS, are functioning in line with these legal obligations. The outcome of the case may influence how mental health services are monitored and strengthened within the state.
The High Court has issued notices to the concerned departments and asked for a comprehensive status report. The court aims to assess infrastructure, staffing, patient care standards, and overall compliance with the Mental Healthcare Act.
Suo motu proceedings allow constitutional courts to intervene in matters affecting public welfare even without a formal complaint from an individual petitioner. In healthcare matters, such actions typically focus on safeguarding patient rights and ensuring minimum standards of care.
The matter will be taken up after the state government files its response. Depending on the findings, the court may issue further directions to address identified gaps in Bihar’s mental health services.
(Rh/SS)
