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

The Karnataka High Court said concerned organisations must ensure that accessible and confidential counselling is available to personnel at all levels. | Photo Credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J. The High Court of Karnataka has advised the security and police organisations to prioritise the mental health and well-being of personnel entrusted with firearms while asking the authorities to examine existing policies and take appropriate steps to strengthen the mental health and welfare measures for their personnel.Justice Suraj Govindaraj passed the order while quashing the criminal proceedings against a 37-year-old CISF Sub-Inspector for attempting to kill herself in 2022 by using her service pistol while on duty in Mangaluru. She had attempted to end her life following years of severe mental distress over her inability to conceive a child due to a blocked fallopian tube.Allowing her petition, the court set aside the lower court’s order and discharged her from the offence under Section 309 of the IPC (attempt to commit suicide). The court 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 such evidence was produced, the court held that continuing the trial would be an abuse of the judicial process.‘Grief and anxiety’“Personnel serving in these forces are also human beings. They have families, relationships, responsibilities and personal problems. They experience grief, anxiety, financial difficulties, marital discord, illness in the family and other difficulties common to human life. Wearing a uniform or undergoing rigorous training does not make them immune to such problems,” the court said.Further, the court said that “the expectation that they must remain available for duty at all times and discharge their responsibilities, come rain or shine, irrespective of their personal circumstances or mental condition, requires a change in institutional thinking.”The concerned organisations must ensure that accessible and confidential counselling, professional mental healthcare and timely treatment are available to personnel at all levels, including those posted in remote and difficult locations, the court said. Signals of distressCommanding and supervisory officers, the court emphasised, must be sensitised to recognise signs of distress and facilitate appropriate assistance, and personnel who undergo treatment or experience mental health difficulties must also receive suitable support for rehabilitation and return to duty, based on professional assessment.“The welfare of personnel and the security of the public are not competing considerations. A force which looks after the mental and physical well-being of its personnel is better equipped to maintain discipline, operational readiness and public safety, the court said. Published - November 14, 2026 09:19 pm IST