Under Section 95 of the Mental Healthcare Act 2017, which of the following procedures is PROHIBITED?
- A Chaining of a person with mental illness to prevent escape ✓
- B Psychosurgery performed with informed consent and approval of the Mental Health Review Board
- C Electroconvulsive therapy performed with general anaesthesia and muscle relaxants in an adult
- D Emergency treatment by a medical officer for up to 72 hours
Correct answer: A. Chaining of a person with mental illness to prevent escape
Explanation
Section 95 explicitly prohibits chaining, along with sterilisation, ECT without anaesthesia and muscle relaxation, and ECT in minors except in narrowly defined life-saving circumstances. ECT with proper anaesthesia in adults remains lawful, which kills option C. Emergency treatment under Section 89 is lawful, and psychosurgery is permitted with consent and Board approval. Chaining, still occasionally reported in institutions, is now a statutory offence.
Reference: The Mental Healthcare Act, 2017 (Government of India), Statute ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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