Section 19: Admission of mentally ill persons under certain special circumstances

Q: What does Section 19 of The Mental Health Act, 1987 (TMHA) deal with?

Section 19 TMHA pertains to "Admission of mentally ill persons under certain special circumstances". It is part of the The Mental Health Act, 1987, a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. Section 19 of The Mental Health Act, 1987 (TMHA) governs admission of mentally ill persons under certain special circumstances. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: Is Section 19 TMHA still in force?

Yes, Section 19 of the The Mental Health Act, 1987 is currently in force across the Republic of India.

Q: What is धारा 19 TMHA?

धारा 19 TMHA is the Devanagari Hindi reference for Section 19 of the The Mental Health Act, 1987. Section 19 of The Mental Health Act, 1987 (TMHA) governs admission of mentally ill persons under certain special circumstances. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: What is Dhara 19 TMHA?

Dhara 19 TMHA is the Roman Hindi reference for Section 19 of the The Mental Health Act, 1987. "Dhara" means "Section" in Hindi. Section 19 of The Mental Health Act, 1987 (TMHA) governs admission of mentally ill persons under certain special circumstances. As verified on 19 May 2026.

Q: How to cite Section 19 of The Mental Health Act, 1987?

Cite as: "Section 19, The Mental Health Act, 1987 (TMHA)" in legal briefs. For academic writing, use the BlueBook format: The Mental Health Act, 1987, § 19 (India).

Law on Tips Editorial Board

(1)

Any mentally ill person who does not, or is unable to, express his willingness for admission as a voluntary patient, may be admitted and kept as an inpatient in a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home on an application made in that behalf by a relative or a friend of the mentally ill person if the medical officer in charge is satisfied that in the interests of the mentally ill person it is necessary so to do:

Provided that no person so admitted as an inpatient shall be kept in the psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home as an inpatient for a period exceeding ninety days except in accordance with the other provisions of this Act.

(2)

Every application under sub-section (1) shall be in the prescribed form and be accompanied by two medical certificates, from two medical practitioners of whom one shall be a medical practitioner in the service of Government, to the effect that the condition of such mentally ill person is such that he should be kept under observation and treatment as an inpatient in a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home:

Provided that the medical officer, in charge of the psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home concerned may, if satisfied that it is proper so to do, cause a mentally ill person to be examined by two medical practitioners working in the hospital or in the nursing home instead of requiring such certificates.

(3)

Any mentally ill person admitted under sub-section (1) or his relative or friend may apply to the Magistrate for his discharge and the Magistrate may, after giving notice to the person at whose instance he was admitted to the psychiatric hospital or psychiatric nursing home and after making such inquiry as he may deem fit either allow or dismiss the application.

(4)

The provisions of the foregoing sub-section shall be without prejudice to the powers exercisable by a Magistrate before whom the case of a mentally ill person is brought, whether under this section or under any other provision of this Act, to pass a reception order, if he is satisfied that it is necessary so to do in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Act.