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Private colleges urged to start courses in neurology

PUDUCHERRY: J.A.K. Tareen, Vice-Chancellor, Pondicherry University, on Saturday expressed concern over the neglect of mental illnesses and their study by governments and universities.

He appealed to private medical colleges to start courses in neurology and the study of mental ailments and spend at least 10 per cent of their expenditure on infrastructure.

Delivering the presidential address at a seminar on ‘Mental Health and Legal issues’ organised by the university’s Department of Applied Psychology and Union Territory of Puducherry Legal Services Authority, Mr.Tareen said mental health was a very complex subject, which demanded country-wide brainstorming, and urged academicians, educational institutions and governments to make it a priority.

Justice P.K. Misra, judge of the Madras High Court and Executive Chairman, UTPLSA, said Section 84 of the IPC e offered protection to legally insane persons.

He cited the example of a recent case in Orissa in which a man, who killed several persons within a few hours, was convicted and sentenced to death. But the High Court, which had to confirm the sentence, gave him the benefit of doubt under Section 84 and ordered that he be treated for the illness. Justice V. Dhanapalan, judge, Madras High Court, and D. Ramabathiran, Member Secretary, UTPLSA, were present.

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