Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Supreme Court Urges Centre on Homeless Mental Health Rehabilitation
The Supreme Court of India has given the central government a final chance to create rules for helping homeless people who have mental health problems.
The court said these people are very vulnerable and need special care.
The government has been asked to submit their plan by the next hearing on February 9.
A lawyer named Gaurav Bansal has been asking the court to make sure these people get the help they need.
The government said they are working on the rules but haven't finished yet.
The court wants to make sure these people are treated fairly and get the medical and social support they need.
The Supreme Court gave the Centre a final opportunity to frame SOPs for rehabilitating homeless people with mental illnesses.
The court described these individuals as 'destitute to the extreme' and 'most vulnerable'.
The next hearing is scheduled for February 9, with the Centre expected to file draft SOPs by then.
The petitioner, Advocate Gaurav Bansal, highlighted the lack of a structured national policy for homeless individuals with mental health issues.
The plea seeks directions for key stakeholders to ensure humane and effective handling of homeless persons with psychosocial disabilities.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India and the Centre
- What
- Urging the Centre to frame Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for rehabilitating homeless people with mental illnesses
- When
- Next hearing on February 9
- Where
- Supreme Court of India
- Why
- To address the rehabilitation and care of homeless individuals with psychosocial disabilities
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Bench
- Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta
- Next Hearing Date
- February 9
- Petitioner
- Advocate Gaurav Bansal
- Issue
- Rehabilitation of homeless people with mental illnesses
- Legal Framework
- Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and National Mental Health Policy, 2014
- Centre's Response
- Draft SOPs being prepared