Punjab & Haryana High Court Directs Authorities to Inform Mentally Ill Accused of Free Legal Aid Rights

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has directed that all magistrates, police, and custodial officers must inform individuals with mental illness of their right to free legal aid under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.

A Bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry highlighted gaps in awareness and training among judicial officers. The Court instructed the Chandigarh Judicial Academy, State Legal Services Authorities, and the High Court Legal Services Committee to initiate training programmes.

It also impleaded the Union Health Ministry over the absence of a Mental Health Review Board in Chandigarh. Hearing resumes on September 4.

[Pushpanjali Trust v. State of Punjab and others]