NHRC asks Bihar Govt to order probe in Saharsa mental asylum case

New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) Taking suo-motu cognisance of a media report about inhuman treatment of inmates of an unlicensed mental asylum in Bihar's Saharsa area, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today asked the state government to order a probe into the incident and submit a factual report within two weeks.

The Commission said the contents of the report, if true, are an affront to human dignity and raise the issue of violation of human rights of mental patients.

It said the treatment methods shown in the report are primitive as the patients are tied to tree and buckets of cold water poured on them.

''The video clipping also showed mental patients being kept in chain and brutally beaten up,'' it added.

The NHRC directed Bihar Chief Secretary that if the contents of the story are found to be true, then he should intimate the Commission regarding the steps being taken for release of the patients and the measures taken to ensure that they are provided proper medical and psychiatric treatment.

The matter will be placed before the Full Commission on July 5 for further consideration.

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