Supreme Court notice to Centre on plea for panel to formulate guidelines for protection of persons with autism

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre and others on a plea for the constitution of a national expert committee to formulate comprehensive guidelines for care, rehabilitation and protection of persons with autism and other intellectual disabilities.

A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan sought a response from the Union government's, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and others on the plea by the NGO, Hrdya Saras Foundation and others.

"We issue notice to the respondents. Let once the reply filed in the case, we will hear the matter," the bench said.

The plea also sought appropriate directions to the Centre and others to establish population-based residential facilities for persons with autism and other intellectual disabilities in every district.

It asked the court to direct the authorities to frame comprehensive and binding standard operating procedures (SOPs) for their establishment, regulation and monitoring.

The plea sought a direction for setting up the national expert committee comprising representatives of autistic persons, parents' associations, disability-rights experts and medical professionals to formulate and finalise comprehensive guidelines for the care, rehabilitation and protection of such persons across the country.

"The authorities should ensure proper medical facilities, regular health check-ups and continuous access to qualified doctors, therapists and trained caregivers for persons with autism and other intellectual disabilities residing in residential homes," the plea said.

It also wanted issuance of directions for regular audits, monitoring and accountability mechanisms to prevent abuse, neglect or exploitation in such facilities.

The plea asked to the court to issue orders to establish pilot residential communities (experimental housing projects) in each state and Union Territory within a fixed timeline based on the SOPs.

It also sought directions for framing mandatory minimum standards for such institutions, including proper nutrition, safe and hygienic living conditions, adequate staffing with trained caregivers, emergency preparedness and transparency in financial dealings to prevent exploitative fee structure.