An illegal shelter home for people with mental and intellectual disabilities in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district was sealed after the police found 20 bodies buried on its premises.
Officials said that the home, run under the name Loveshore Charitable Trust, has been operating for 25 years without the necessary permissions and added that there was no record of the inmates’ background information.
To admit people with mental illnesses or intellectual disabilities, a charitable organisation is required to obtain licences from the Institute of Mental Health, Chennai and the Commissionerate of Differently-abled persons respectively.
The disturbing revelation surfaced as a result of a complaint brought up at last week’s meeting, which was presided over by the district governor of Nilgiris. As a result, the shelter was inspected by the Gudalur Revenue Commissioner and the Dewala Deputy Superintendent of Police. The facility was found to be operating without a license on 8th July 2024, after a comprehensive inspection by authorities. They observed that the people with mental disabilities were living in appalling conditions and without even the most basic utilities.
Revenue department officials, who conducted an inspection of the home after a complaint was raised, told the media that there were 13 inmates residing in the premises. They have been shifted to licensed facilities. Acting on a complaint, the shelter home was sealed on Tuesday.
The police’s initial probe has not revealed possible cases of abuse against the inmates.
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