*January 24, 2011* The parents of a former woman official of India's external intelligence wing RAW, who was sent to a hospital for mental check-up after she stripped herself in a courtroom, today tendered an apology before the Delhi High Court and sought her release from hospital.
The parents of Nisha Priya Bhatia apologised to Justice Ajit Bharihoke and pleaded for her release from the Institute of Human Behaviours and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) on the ground that she was not mentally ill. The court, which had first ordered Bhatia's detention and then sent her to the hospital for the check-up after taking note of the indecent acts, today refused to interfere with its earlier order. She may go home if the doctors advise so, Justice Bharihoke said. Bhatia, in her 40s, had created a ruckus in the open courtroom as the judge adjourned the hearing on her petition against Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Ajay Pandey and Metropolitan Magistrate Pritam Singh. The former RAW officer, who had tried to commit suicide outside the Prime Minister's Office in August 2008, first bared herself in the open courtroom and later, repeated the act in the chamber hearing. "The behaviour of the petitioner (Bhatia) in baring herself in the open court is highly deplorable and it gives an impression that she is not mentally sound. It is not a case of solitary instance but she, even in the post-lunch session, tried to indulge in the same act, which is not expected from a normal person," Justice Bharihoke had said, while ordering her mental health check-up. The court had asked the SHO concerned to take her to the Institute of Human Behaviours and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) for a check up. The former official, who once headed the training cell of the Research and Analysis Wing, had filed a petition against the lower court judges alleging they attempted to help Ashok Chaturvedi, her boss and former Secretary of RAW. She had accused Chaturvedi of sexual harassment and calling her into his office at odd times and passing lewd remarks, a charge denied by Chaturvedi. Bhatia had in August 2008 tried to commit suicide outside the Prime Minister's Office and was also termed mentally unstable by the Cabinet Secretariat which controls RAW. http://news.outlookindia.com/item.aspx?709633 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
