E.Ranganayaki v. The Union Of India

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

DATED: 17.12.2021 CORAM :

THE HON'BLE MR.MUNISHWAR NATH BHANDARI, ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HON'BLE MR.JUSTICE P.D.AUDIKESAVALU W.P.No.35769 of 2021 E.Ranganayaki ... Petitioner Vs 1 The Union of India Rep by the Secretary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi- 110 001.

2 The Union of India Rep by the Secretary Ministry of Human Resources Development Shastri Bhawan New Delhi- 110 001.

3 The Union of India Rep by the Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi - 110 001.

4 The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by the Secretary to Government Health and Family Welfare Department Fort St. George Chennai-9.

5 The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by the Secretary to Government School Education Department Fort St. George Chennai-9.

6 The State of Tamil Nadu Rep by the Secretary to Government Tamil Development and Information Department Fort St. George Chennai-9.

7 Medical Council of India Rep. by Secretary Sector - VIII, Dwaraga Phase II New Delhi - 110 077.

Respondents (R7 suo motu impleaded as per order dated 3.3.2020 made in W.P.No.35769 of 2019) Prayer: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for a writ of mandamus directing (A) the Respondents to increase the number of intake of students in Psychiatry course and Psychology course in all government medical colleges and government colleges to meet internationally accepted guidelines for number of mental health professionals on the basis of population. (B) the Respondents to incorporate Yogo Mental Health and Wellness in the school curriculum for the students to equip with knowledge and skills to make them aware of their mental well being and to build strong mental health at the younger age.

(C) the respondents to provide integrate mental health services into general healthcare services at all levels of healthcare including primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare as contemplated under Section 18(5) of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. (D) the respondents to give counseling for the students in all colleges and in all department throughout the year at regular intervals, to take care of mental health of the students and to cope-up with depression and stress at the earlier stage by preventing them from taking any extreme steps.

(E) the respondents to mandate that all television channels by taking social responsibility, to allot minimum 15 seconds a day in their television channels, to telecast, for creating awareness on social issues like depression, child sexual abuse, promoting help line numbers, swachh bharath, to save water, girl child education, etc. (F) the respondents to make rules regarding reimbursement of costs of treatment of mental health establishment as contemplated under Section 18(5) of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.

television, radio, print and online media at regular intervals as contemplated under Section 30 of the Act.

For the Petitioner : Ms.E.Ranganayaki Petitioner-in-Person For the Respondents : Mr.P.Muthukumar State Government Pleader for respondents 4 to 6 : Ms.Shubharanjini Ananth for 7th respondent

ORDER

(Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Acting Chief Justice) A letter dated 12.11.2021 has been circulated by the petitioner appearing in person to permit her to withdraw the writ petition.

2. The prayer for permission to withdraw the writ petition is granted. Accordingly, the writ petition is dismissed as withdrawn. No costs.

SD/- ASSISTANT REGISTRAR // TRUE COPY // SUB ASSISTANT REGISTRAR bbr To:

1 The Secretary Union of India Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Nirman Bhavan, New Delhi- 110 001.

2 The Secretary Union of India Ministry of Human Resources Development Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi- 110 001.

3 The Secretary Union of India Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi - 110 001.

4 The Secretary to Government State of Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department Fort St. George, Chennai-9.

5 The Secretary to Government State of Tamil Nadu School Education Department Fort St. George, Chennai-9.

6 The Secretary to Government State of Tamil Nadu Tamil Development and Information Department Fort St. George, Chennai-9.

7 The Secretary Medical Council of India Sector - VIII, Dwaraga Phase II New Delhi - 110 077.

+1cc to Mrs.E.Ranganayaki, Advocate Sr.68240 +1cc ot the Government pleader Sr.67992 W.P.No.35769 of 2021 ak-II[co] srg 22/12/2021