Illegal rehab centre: Health dept submits report, wants strict action
During inspection, it was found that the centre was running without any licence. We have suggested action in the case, which also included sealing of the centre, if needed.
PATIALA: Two days after the police rescued an inmate held captive in the allegedly illegal Vardan drug de-addiction centre at Mallu Majra village of the district, the district health department has submitted its inspection report to the state health department and the senior superintendent of police, suggesting strict action, including sealing of the centre.
On July 3, acting on the complaint of Aditya Kaushik, amicus curiae, Punjab and Haryana high court, constituted a special team consisting of special task force (STF) officials, including assistant inspector general of police (IGP) Harpreet Singh and deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Harwant Kaur along with other health department officials.
The team had rescued Amandeep Singh, who was allegedly confined illegally after his family had failed to pay ₹20,000.
Amandeep was brought to the centre a few months ago, but the staff did not allow him to leave even after the completion of his treatment due to non-payment of its charges.
District medical commissioner Dr MS Dhaliwal said the police have registered a case against the centre but the inspection reports have been submitted to the SSP and senior health officials for further action.
“During inspection, it was found that the centre was running without any licence. We have suggested action in the case, which also included sealing of the centre, if needed,” he said.
He added the same report will be submitted in the high court.
The licence of the centre expired in 2014,and it was not renewed.
The police have already registered a case against centre employees and its owners under section 323 (punishment for causing injuries voluntarily), 506 (criminal intimidation), 365 (kidnapping), 342 (wrongful confinement) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 82 of the Mental Health Act of 1987 was registered against the employees.