Umang Foundation Urges SP to Rescue Homeless Mentally Ill Elderly Man

Shimla, February 28 – A mentally ill elderly man has been spending nights in freezing cold at the rain shelter of Talland bus stop, Shimla. Umang Foundation President, Prof. Ajay Srivastava, has written to Shimla SP Sanjeev Gandhi, demanding his rescue under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, stating that failure to act could put the man’s life at risk.

Prof. Srivastava highlighted that two Himachal High Court rulings mandate district police chiefs to rescue homeless mentally ill individuals under this law. He explained that, upon police intervention, the individual must be taken to a hospital, and if diagnosed with a mental illness, presented before a judicial magistrate. The magistrate would then order free treatment and hospitalization at a psychiatric facility.

The elderly man claims to be from Panipat and appears confused and hungry. Concerned citizens have provided him blankets, but his condition remains dire. SP Sanjeev Gandhi has assured action as per the law.