Karnataka HC asks security forces to review mental health policies

The Karnataka High Court has directed security and police organisations to review their mental health policies and strengthen welfare measures for personnel, while quashing criminal proceedings against a CISF sub-inspector who attempted suicide in 2022 using her service pistol. Justice Suraj Govindaraj ruled that Section 115 of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, creates a mandatory presumption of severe stress, placing the burden on the prosecution to prove otherwise. Since no evidence to rebut the presumption was produced, continuing the trial would be an abuse of process.

The officer, identified by the Times of India as Jyoti Bai, was 37 at the time of the incident and had been unable to conceive due to a blocked fallopian tube. She underwent IVF treatment between 2020 and 2022 but was unsuccessful. The court observed that the trial court had failed to independently consider the statutory presumption under Section 115 of the MHC Act. The officer was also punished with a major penalty of reduction of one stage of pay for life and no promotion for five years, and spent Rs 5 lakh on her own treatment, the Times of India reported.

The court emphasised that personnel in uniform are not immune to personal problems and that the expectation of round-the-clock duty regardless of mental condition requires a change in institutional thinking. Commanding officers must be sensitised to recognise signs of distress and facilitate appropriate assistance, including confidential counselling and professional mental healthcare even for those in remote postings.