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Coming to aid of an unattended mentally retarded young woman, the Allahabad High Court on Thursday directed the state authorities to ensure immediate medical and financial help to her. Court also pinned personal responsibilities on the District Probation Officer and Chief Medical Officer of Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) in this regard. 

Hearing the Public Interest Litigation plea moved by one Jyoti Rajpoot, the bench of Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Mohd. Faiz Alam Khan asked the District Probation Officer to ensure that the woman, who is currently lodged at City's one woman protection home, is attended by a qualified psychiatrist to be deputed by the Chief Medical Officer.

Court added that "once the lady is attended by the psychiatrist, it shall be the personal responsibility of the District Probation Officer and Chief Medical Officer, Lucknow to get the requisite medicines administered to the lady."

Court also stressed that the District Probation Officer will also be required to personally pay a visit to the lady and enquire about her well-being.

Further leaving no stone unturned, court ordered the Director, Women and Child Welfare, U.P., Lucknow to extend all possible help to the woman including financial help which will be needed for her appropriate medical care.

To make the directions effective as soon as possible, court added that the order shall immediately be communicated by the State Counsel to the concerned officers including the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary, Department of Women and Child Welfare, Government of U.P., Lucknow without waiting for its certified copy. 

Lastly, posting the matter for February 24 for the next hearing, court directed the District Probation Officer to file an affidavit personally giving details of the steps which might be taken for ensuring compliance of this order.

This PIL plea was filed seeking not only assurance of the welfare of this mentally retarded young woman who was found roaming around in an area of Lucknow but also any such woman who is found unattended roaming on the streets or in public places.

Case Title: Jyoti Rajpoot v. State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home, Lko. And Another