Karnataka High Court asks security, police organisations to review mental health policies for armed personnel

The High Court of Karnataka has instructed security and police agencies to prioritize the mental health and welfare of armed personnel, including those with firearms. Justice Suraj Govindaraj issued the directive while overturning the case of a 37-year-old CISF Sub-Inspector who had attempted to kill herself in 2022 due to severe mental distress over her inability to conceive a child.

The court ruled that Section 115 of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017, establishes a presumption of severe stress, shifting the burden of proof onto the prosecution. Since no evidence was presented, the court dismissed the case, stating that the trial should be considered an abuse of judicial process. The court emphasized that personnel serving in these forces are human beings with personal problems, grief, anxiety, and other difficulties that do not make them immune to such issues, even while in uniform or undergoing rigorous training.

It called for accessible and confidential counselling, professional mental healthcare, and timely treatment for personnel at all levels. Commanding and supervisory officers must be trained to recognize signs of distress and facilitate appropriate assistance, while personnel who undergo treatment or experience mental health difficulties must receive support for rehabilitation and returning to duty.

The court argued that the welfare of personnel and public security are not competing priorities, as a force that prioritizes its personnel's mental and physical well-being is better equipped to maintain discipline, operational readiness, and public safety.