Published Paper Details:

The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 provides for rights of mentally ill person such as; Right to access mental healthcare, community living, protection from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, equality and non-discrimination, information, confidentiality, restriction on release of information in respect of mental illness, access medical records, personal contacts and communication, legal aid and right to make complaints about deficiencies in provision of services. This act also specify the responsibilities of other agencies such as police officers, Magistrate, Prison administration, instructions are given to take proper care of Persons in custodial institutions and the judicial process to deal question of mental illness. There is no difference between any mentally ill person living in society or with family and the person undergoing punishment. She/he also has the same rights as any normal person a right to live with 'dignity'. This paper endeavors to look into the provisions of the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 and the legal right of an ill person to live with dignity.