Chennai: Madras high court on Wednesday appointed an advocate commissioner to visit various homes and places where prior inmates of St Joseph’s Hospice are currently housed, interact with them and ascertain their intent as to where they are to be accommodated and file a report to the court.
A division bench comprising Justices C.T. Selvam and N. Sathish Kumar also noted the Whatsapp message of Dr Elanchezian, Department of Medicine, Chengalpattu Medical college, where 70 inmates are staying, making an appeal for assistance even for adult diapers.
Expressing shock over the death of 12 among 294 inmates of St. Joseph's Hospice, who were allegedly forcibly removed from the hospice by the authorities, the bench had on March 27 ordered the Kancheepuram police to immediately hand over the custody of remaining 282 inmates back to the hospice. The bench had also directed the Kancheepuram district social welfare officer to appear before the court on March 28 and explain the cause of death of 12 inmates.
When the case came up for hearing on Wednesday, Sangeetha, District Social Welfare Officer submitted a set of papers containing 134 pages.
Additional public prosecutor Mohammed Riyaz submitted that all earnest efforts were under way to comply with the order of the court.
Recording the submissions, the bench said, “We take note of the position that some press reports inform a disinclination of the inmates, who have been removed from the hospice, to return thereto. We cannot be oblivious to the position that the hospice has been dealing with persons on the verge of death, persons who suffer severe physical disabilities as also those who are mentally unsound. Reaction of each may vary”.
Considering the circumstance, the bench appointed advocate Sunder Mohan as Commissioner to interact with the inmates and to record their intent.
Those inmates, who desire to return to St.Joseph’s hospice will be permitted to do so.
Reserving orders, the bench said the advocate commissioner shall complete the task assigned and file a report at his earliest convenience.
