Archive · 24 Jan 2026
Mentally Disabled Indians Return from Nepal, Face Voting Barriers
Over a hundred mentally disabled Indian citizens were found in Nepal and brought back to India.
However, they cannot vote because a law says people who are not mentally sound cannot be on the voter list.
A group of 29 people, including six from West Bengal, recently returned.
They will get treatment and counseling before going back to their homes.
Even though they have valid documents, the law does not allow them to vote.
The organizations that helped bring them back are focused on their well-being rather than their voting rights.
106 mentally disabled Indian citizens were identified in Nepal, with 96 successfully returned to India.
The last group of 29, including six from West Bengal, returned on 5 November, 2025.
They cannot be included in the electoral rolls due to Section 16(1)(b) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1950, which disqualifies people of unsound mind.
The rescued individuals will undergo treatment and counseling in Mumbai before being relocated to their hometowns.
Organizations involved include Shraddha Rehabilitation Foundation in Mumbai and Manavsewa Ashram in Nepal.
- Who
- Mentally disabled Indian citizens, including six from West Bengal, rescued from Nepal
- What
- Return to India and facing barriers to being included in electoral rolls due to mental disability
- When
- Over the last six months, with the last group returning on 5 November, 2025
- Where
- From Nepal to India, specifically Mumbai and their respective hometowns
- Why
- Because a section in the Representation of the People’s Act, 1950 debars anyone of unsound mind from being included in the electoral rolls
- Number of Rescued Indians
- 106
- Number of Returned Indians
- 96
- Current Group Size
- 29
- Males in Current Group
- 17
- Females in Current Group
- 12
- NGO Involved
- Shraddha Rehabilitation Foundation
- Nepal-Based NGO
- Manavsewa Ashram
- Legal Barrier
- Section 16(1)(b) of the Representation of People’s Act, 1950