Under the Mental Healthcare Act 2017, what is the primary duty of a police officer when they find a person with mental illness wandering on a public road?
- A Take the person to the nearest mental health establishment ✓
- B Arrest the person for public nuisance
- C Take the person to their family
- D Detain the person in the police station for 24 hours
Correct answer: A. Take the person to the nearest mental health establishment
Explanation
Section 23 of the Mental Healthcare Act 2017 protects persons with mental illness from arrest for wandering. The police must take the person to the nearest mental health establishment for assessment and care, rather than treating them as criminals.
Reference: Mental Healthcare Act 2017, Bare Act ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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