Mental Health Act 2017 Is A Beneficial Legislation, Can Be Applied Retrospectively To Extend Benefits To All: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court ruled that the Mental Healthcare Act of 2017 should be applied retrospectively to extend its benefits to individuals who needed care prior to the Act's enactment. The Court held that the legislation is beneficial in nature, aiming to protect vulnerable individuals, and therefore should be interpreted broadly to maximize its positive impact. The judgment underlined the importance of ensuring access to mental healthcare for all, regardless of when the need arose