Delhi High Court adjourns 65 year old woman's plea for transfer of schizophrenic son from IHBAS to AIIMS

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The Delhi High Court today adjourned to October 8, a plea by a 65 year old woman who moved court on grounds of compassion, seeking transfer of her son currently undergoing treatment at the Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences (IHBAS), to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), also at New Delhi.

The petitioner stated that her son was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2006 at AIIMS, and that he was shifted from AIIMS to IHBAS vide order dated May 7, 2021 as AIIMS was then rampaged with an overflow of Covid-19 patients.

Denying the woman the relief sought at thus stage, the bench of Justice Rekha Palli, said, "It's very unfortunate that your son is schizophrenic but your petition isn't that your son isn't getting treatment."

The woman stated that though he was receiving treatment, from her current place of residence, IHBAS is nearly 3 hours away  and as an old lady, with a husband who is ailing as well, she is rendered helpless when trying to visit her son.

She further stated that she is not seeking free treatment for her son, however, "as one of the largest institutes in the country," AIIMS "may accommodate her son also."

However, expressing reservations in allowing the plea, the court said, "Your son is (already) getting treatment at one of the best institutes. As a mother, I understand your pain, but there is only so much we can push."

Counsel for AIIMS on the other hand contested the plea stating that the Institute is still having a load of Covid-19 patients.

Case Title: Kalyan Chattopadhayay v Govt. of NCT of Delhi