Parliament passes Mental Healthcare Bill; attempt to suicide to be no more punishable under IPC

Attempt to suicide will no more be punishable under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) with the Mental Healthcare Bill, 2016 today getting the Parliament nod.The Bill, which had been cleared by the Rajya Sabha in August last year, was passed by the Lok Sabha by voice vote rejecting three Opposition amendments.

Besides the main provisions of the Bill that seeks to keep suicides away from the provisions of the Indian Penal, another unique feature of the Bill was that an individual shall have the right to make an advance directive stating how he wants to be treated for the illness during a mental health situation and who his nominated representative shall be”.