{"id":6750,"date":"2025-07-30T12:10:58","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T12:10:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=6750"},"modified":"2025-07-30T12:31:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T12:31:06","slug":"judicial-activism-by-expanding-the-scope-of-article-21-and-recognizing-mental-health-as-fundamental-right","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/judicial-activism-by-expanding-the-scope-of-article-21-and-recognizing-mental-health-as-fundamental-right\/","title":{"rendered":"Judicial Activism by expanding the scope of Article 21 and recognizing mental health as Fundamental right"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Right_to_Life_and_Personal_Liberty\"><\/span>The Right to Life and Personal Liberty<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The right to life and personal liberty is universally accepted and is the most fundamental human right. In India, this right is enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution which states: <strong>\u201cProtection of life and personal liberty: No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/judicial-activism-by-expanding-the-scope-of-article-21-and-recognizing-mental-health-as-fundamental-right\/#The_Right_to_Life_and_Personal_Liberty\" >The Right to Life and Personal Liberty<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/judicial-activism-by-expanding-the-scope-of-article-21-and-recognizing-mental-health-as-fundamental-right\/#Legal_Recognition_of_Mental_Health\" >Legal Recognition of Mental Health<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/judicial-activism-by-expanding-the-scope-of-article-21-and-recognizing-mental-health-as-fundamental-right\/#Definition_of_Mental_Health\" >Definition of Mental Health<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/judicial-activism-by-expanding-the-scope-of-article-21-and-recognizing-mental-health-as-fundamental-right\/#Landmark_Judgment_on_Mental_Health_and_Education\" >Landmark Judgment on Mental Health and Education<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/judicial-activism-by-expanding-the-scope-of-article-21-and-recognizing-mental-health-as-fundamental-right\/#15_Enforceable_Directions_for_Educational_Institutions\" >15 Enforceable Directions for Educational Institutions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/judicial-activism-by-expanding-the-scope-of-article-21-and-recognizing-mental-health-as-fundamental-right\/#Further_Court_Directions\" >Further Court Directions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/judicial-activism-by-expanding-the-scope-of-article-21-and-recognizing-mental-health-as-fundamental-right\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>Over time, the Indian judiciary has explained and expanded the meaning of Article 21 to include the right to live with dignity, encompassing the right to health. In landmark judgments such as <em>Bandhua Mukti Morcha v. Union of India<\/em> (AIR 1997 SUPREME COURT 2218) and <em>Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity v. State of West Bengal<\/em> (1996 SCC (4) 37), the Supreme Court extended the scope of Article 21 to include the right to health and medicare. However, mental health was not specifically emphasised in these rulings.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Legal_Recognition_of_Mental_Health\"><\/span>Legal Recognition of Mental Health<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In recent years, mental health has gained more attention and legal recognition through the <strong>Mental Health Care Act, 2017<\/strong>, which came into force on 28th May 2018. This legislation marked a significant milestone by explicitly recognising the right to access mental health as a legal right. The Act was enacted in alignment with international human rights standards, particularly the <strong>UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)<\/strong>, to which India is a signatory.<\/p>\n<p>In <em>Ravinder Kumar Dhariwal v. Union of India<\/em>, (2023) 2 SCC 209, while addressing mental illness in the Indian legal framework, the Supreme Court noted:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThe 2017 Act provided a rights-based framework of mental healthcare and had a truly transformative potential. The 2017 Act was enacted by Parliament in pursuance of India\u2019s obligations under United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (\u2018CRPD\u2019), repealing the Mental Health Act, 1987 (\u20181987 Act\u2019). In stark difference from the provisions of the 1987 Act, the provisions of the 2017 Act recognised the legal capacity of persons suffering from mental illness to make decisions and choices on treatment, admission, and personal assistance.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Though the Act does not directly define mental health, it implies well-being as a legal right. <strong>Chapter 5<\/strong> of the Act provides specific rights to persons with mental illness, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Right to access mental healthcare and treatment<\/li>\n<li>Right to community living<\/li>\n<li>Right to protection from cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment<\/li>\n<li>Right to equality and non-discrimination<\/li>\n<li>Right to information<\/li>\n<li>Right to confidentiality<\/li>\n<li>Right to legal aid<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The Act defines <strong>mental illness<\/strong> under Section 2(s) as:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cA substantial disorder of thinking, mood, perception, orientation or memory that grossly impairs judgment, behaviour, capacity to recognise reality or ability to meet the ordinary demands of life, mental conditions associated with the abuse of alcohol and drugs, but does not include mental retardation which is a condition of arrested or incomplete development of mind of a person, specially characterised by subnormality of intelligence.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Definition_of_Mental_Health\"><\/span>Definition of Mental Health<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The <strong>World Health Organization (WHO)<\/strong> defines mental health as:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cA state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The key difference between mental health and mental illness lies in their nature:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Mental Health:<\/strong> A state of well-being where a person can function productively; it is positive, holistic, and focused on emotional resilience, coping abilities, and productivity.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Mental Illness:<\/strong> A diagnosable disorder affecting thoughts, emotions, or behaviour; pathological in nature, focusing on symptoms, impairment, diagnosis, and treatment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Landmark_Judgment_on_Mental_Health_and_Education\"><\/span>Landmark Judgment on Mental Health and Education<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Date:<\/strong> July 25th, 2025<\/p>\n<p>In the landmark judgment of <strong>Sukdeb Saha Vs State of Andhra Pradesh and Ors<\/strong>, the bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta ruled that <strong>mental health is an integral component of the right to life under Article 21<\/strong>, which embraces dignity, autonomy, and well-being of an individual, not just survival.<\/p>\n<p>The decision arose from an appeal against the Andhra High Court\u2019s refusal to transfer the investigation of the appellant\u2019s 17-year-old daughter\u2019s tragic death to the CBI. Considering the increasing crisis of student suicides linked to the current education system, the bench issued <strong>guidelines for preventive, remedial, and supportive mental health frameworks<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_Enforceable_Directions_for_Educational_Institutions\"><\/span>15 Enforceable Directions for Educational Institutions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Adopt and implement a <strong>uniform mental health policy<\/strong>, referencing UMMEED Draft Guidelines, MANODARPAN initiative, and the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.<\/li>\n<li>Institutions with 100+ students must appoint a <strong>trained counsellor or psychologist<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Referral systems<\/strong> must be in place for smaller institutions.<\/li>\n<li>Maintain <strong>optimal student-to-counsellor ratios<\/strong>; provide support during exams and transitions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ban public shaming or segregation<\/strong> based on academic performance.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Display suicide-prevention protocols<\/strong> and helpline numbers (e.g., Tele\u2011MANAS) prominently on campus.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Biannual training<\/strong> for all staff (teaching and non-teaching) in psychological first aid, identifying warning signs, and referral protocols.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sensitize staff<\/strong> to engage inclusively with marginalized and vulnerable groups.<\/li>\n<li>Establish <strong>confidential harassment reporting systems<\/strong> with mandatory mental health referrals.<\/li>\n<li>Conduct <strong>annual reviews of public mental health policies<\/strong> and wellness data.<\/li>\n<li>Install <strong>safety infrastructure<\/strong> to prevent self-harm (e.g., tamper\u2011proof fans, rooftop access control).<\/li>\n<li>Implement <strong>proactive measures<\/strong> in high-risk examination hubs like Kota, Delhi, and Chennai.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure <strong>harassment and ragging-free environments<\/strong> in all residential institutions through care-takers or wardens.<\/li>\n<li>Offer <strong>structured career counselling<\/strong> for students and their parents or guardians in all institutions, including coaching centres.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prioritize extracurricular activities<\/strong> like sports, arts, and personality development.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>These guidelines apply to all educational institutions\u2014public or private schools, colleges, universities, coaching\/training centres, and hostels\u2014irrespective of affiliation.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Further_Court_Directions\"><\/span>Further Court Directions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Court also directed that the <strong>NHRC be made a party<\/strong> to ongoing PILs enforcing the <strong>Mental Healthcare Act, 2017<\/strong>, especially Section 18 (Right to access care) and Section 115 (Decriminalization of suicide attempts).<\/p>\n<p>The bench clarified that these guidelines do not interfere with the National Task Force\u2019s efforts, stating:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cWe believe that these guidelines shall be read as complementary to the ongoing work of the National Task Force and would inform and assist the National Task Force on mental health concerns of students in the development of a more comprehensive and inclusive framework.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><strong>Mental health is not a luxury, but a legal and moral right.<\/strong> Extending Article 21 to include mental health is a progressive step towards a compassionate society.<\/p>\n<p>However, <strong>implementation challenges remain<\/strong>, especially in rural and under-resourced institutions. Most lack trained professionals on campus. A 2024 report by NIMHANS revealed that India has <strong>less than 0.75 mental health professionals per 100,000 people<\/strong>, making full implementation structurally difficult.<\/p>\n<p><b>End Notes: <\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/07\/25\/supreme-court-guidelines-protecting-mental-health-of-coaching-and-college-students-legal-news\/<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/www.indiacode.nic.in\/handle\/123456789\/2249<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/data\/despite-rising-demand-and-changing-attitudes-indians-have-limited-access-to-mental-healthcare-data\/article68600838.ece<\/li>\n<li>https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/mental-health-strengthening-our-response<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Right to Life and Personal Liberty The right to life and personal liberty is universally accepted and is the most fundamental human right. In India, this right is enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution which states: \u201cProtection of life and personal liberty: No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":277,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[87],"tags":[28],"class_list":{"0":"post-6750","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-medico-legal","7":"tag-top-news"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6750","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/277"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6750"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6750\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6750"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6750"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6750"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}